\ 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 
in  2015 


https://archive.org/details/ritual6fcatholic00cath 


Mo. 


5813 

RITUAL 


Catholic  Orders  Foresters  g 


REVISED  EDITION. 


REVISED  AND  APPROVED  BY  THE  HIGHcCOURT,  1902. 

BOSTON  TULLETUE  librar! 
CHESTNUT  HILL,  MASS, 

Press  of  Mayer  & Miller  85  Fifth  Avenue,  Chicago 


[b  2> S 

>Czi 
1 902 


IfififPM  COLLEGE  LIBRARY 
CftfeSTNUf  HILL.  MASS. 


AUG  26  '68 


399879 


3 


LAWS  RELATING  TO  THE  RITUAL. 

Article  XLII,  Section  3,  Paragraph  399. 

“Any  member  who  shall  by  word  of  mouth  or  in 
writing,  or  in  any  manner  whatever  * * * * ex- 

pose any  of  the  secret  or  ritual  work  of  the  Order 
* * * * shall,  upon  conviction,  be  expelled  from  the 

Order.” 


Article  V,  Section  6,  Paragraph  36. 

“ * * * And  it  (the  High  Court)  shall  make  all 
rules  and  regulations  which  may  be  necessary  and  proper 
for  carrying  into  effect  the  laws  of  the  Order.  * * * ” 


Article  XXX,  Rule  2,  Paragraph  275. 

“The  manner  and  form  of  conduct  prescribed  in  the 
ritual  for  observance  by  the  members  during  the  session 
of  the  Court  shall  be  considered  as  rules  of  the  Order 
and  shall  be  strictly  enforced  by  the  Chief  Ranger.” 


Article  XXVIII,  Section  7,  Paragraph  269. 

“Every  Court  shall  hold  its  meetings  in  a hall  fur- 
nished and  arranged  as  described  and  illustrated  in  the 
ritual,  and  shall  conduct  the  initiation  and  other  cere- 
monies of  the  ritual  in  the  manner  and  form  approved 
by  the  High  Court.  * * * ” 


Article  XXXII,  Section  i,  Paragraph  312. 

* * * He  (the  Chief  Ranger)  shall  convene  the 

officers  of  the  Court  from  time  to  time  * * * for 
the  purpose  of  rehearsing  and  familiarizing  the  officers 
with  their  respective  duties  and  with  their  parts  in  con- 
ducting the  ceremonies  of  the  ritual  of  the  Order.” 


I 


ABBREVIATIONS  AND  BADGE  EMBLEMS. 


S.  D. — Spiritual  Director A cross. 

C.  R. — -Chief  Ranger Two  gavels,  crossed. 

V.  C.  R. — Vice  Chief  Ranger One  gavel. 

P.  C.  R. — Past  Chief  Ranger A star. 

R.  S. — -Recording  Secretary Two  quills,  crossed. 

F.  S. — Financial  Secretary 

A quill  and  a key,  crossed. 

T. — Treasurer Two  keys,  crossed. 

Ts. — Trustees A safe  or  strong  box. 

S.  C. — Senior  Conductor  ) ^ rr  , 

T s-~\  , . „ , 1 1 wo  staffs,  crossed. 

J.L. — Junior  Conductor  ) 

I.  S. — Inside  Sentinel,  ) „ . , 

^ 0 „ . , _ . ' 1 wo  swords,  crossed. 

U.  S. — Outside  Sentinel  ) 

I.  O. — Installing  Officer  or  Instituting  Officer. 


RITUAL 


OF  THE 

GathoilG  Order  of  Foresters 


“ That  which  is  worth  doing  at  all* 
is  worth  doing  well.” 


IN  GENERAL. 


One  of  the  first  and  continual  cares  of  the 
Chief  Ranger  should  be  the  preservation  of  the 
charm  of  the  secret  work  of  the  Order,  and  the 
mastering  of  the  ritualistic  ceremonies.  To  that 
end  he  must  carefully  read  and  study  every  in- 
struction in  this  book  and  memorize  his  parts  of 
the  ceremonies,  and  also  urge  his  fellow-officers 
to  do  likewise,  as  is  their  duty. 

The  Chief  Ranger,  in  compliance  with  the  law 
of  the  Order  (see  Art.  XXXII,  Sec.  i,  Par.  312), 
must  arrange  repeated  meetings  of  the  officers 


6 


for  the  purpose  of  studying  and  rehearsing  the 
several  ceremonies,  especially  the  ceremony  of 
initiation,  until  each  officer  has  mastered  his  part 
to  the  smallest  detail,  and  until  the  ceremonies 
as  a whole  can  be  performed  smoothly,  without  a 
hitch. 

The  Deputy  High  Chief  Ranger  of  the  Court 
should  be  invited  to  attend  these  rehearsals  and 
to  lend  his  assistance ; and  several  of  the  more 
competent  members  should  be  interested  and 
urged  to  learn  certain  parts  of  the  ceremonies 
so  as  to  fit  them  to  take  the  place  of  an  absent 
officer  at  a Court  meeting. 

The  meeting  hall  of  the  Court  should  be  well 
appointed  and  thoroughly  equipped,  and  must, 
in  compliance  with  the  law  of  the  Order,  be  ar- 
ranged, as  nearly  as  possible,  as  described  and 
illustrated  on  pages  7 and  8.  It  must  be  borne  in 
mind  that  the  meeting  hall  is  the  home  of  the 
Court,  where  the  members  meet  in  social  and 
fraternal  intercourse  with  each  other  and  with 
the  members  of  other  Courts.  Therefore  this 
home — the  meeting  hall  of  the  Court — should  be 
as  complete,  attractive  and  comfortable  as  lies 
within  the  means  of  the  Court. 


7 


8 


Besides,  a solemn  and  impressive  ceremony  of 
initiation  cannot  be  conducted  in  an  incomplete 
hall — in  a hall  devoid  of  officers’  stations,  pedes- 
tals and  other  requirements. 

The  arrangement  of  a hall  as  shown  in  Fig.  i 
is  a good  one,  there  being  two  ante-rooms,  an 
outer  or  general  one,  A,  and  an  inner  one,  B, — 
e being  the  outer  door,  f the  door  connecting 
the  two  ante-rooms,  and  g the  inner  door  leading 
into  the  hall.  In  any  case,  however,  the  ante-room 
should  be  situated  conveniently  near  the  hall,  yet 
so  effectually  separated  from  it  that  candidates 
or  other  persons,  when  in  the  ante-room,  cannot 
hear  what  may  be  said  or  done  in  the  hall  during 
the  session  of  the  Court.  The  ante-room  should 
be  furnished  with  a writing  table  and  a number 
of  chairs.  The  hall  should  be  furnished  with 
an  organ  or  a piano  placed  at  O or  P,  and  a cross 
should  be  outlined  on  the  floor,  as  shown,  with 
narrow  strips  of  carpet  or  other  suitable  ma- 
terial, the  center  pedestal  C.  P.  resting  on  the 
cross. 

The  custody  of  the  rituals  is  intrusted  to  the 
Chief  Ranger,  and  he  alone  is  empowered  to  per- 
mit an  officer  or  a member  to  take  one  for  the 


purpose  of  studying  it,  and  in  such  event  he  must 
obtain  a receipt  therefor  from  the  officer  or  mem- 
ber. This  applies  to  any  special  ritual  approved  by 
the  High  Court  as  well  as  the  regular  ritual  of 
the  Order.  Officers  or  members  intrusted  with 
a ritual  must  guard  it  closely  against  inspection 
by  persons  not  members  of  the  Order  (see  Art. 
XLII,  Sec.  3,  Par.  399),  and  must  return  it  to 
the  Chief  Ranger  as  soon  as  possible. 

The  High  Chief  Ranger  alone  is  empowered 
by  the  laws  of  the  Order  to  establish  and  issue 
the  password,  grip  and  signs,  and  he  and  the 
Deputy  High  Chief  Rangers  and  Chief  Rangers 
when  acting  in  their  official  capacity  are  the  only 
persons  authorized  to  communicate  the  password, 
but  Deputy  High  Chief  Rangers  and  Chief 
Rangers  are  strictly  forbidden  to  transmit  or 
communicate  the  password  in  any  manner  ex- 
cept by  word  of  mouth. 

Officers,  particularly,  should  make  occasional 
visits  to  the  meetings  of  sister  Courts,  especially 
to  those  that  conduct  all  their  affairs  in  good 
form,  thereby  acquiring  knowledge  beneficial  to 
their  own  Court. 


10 


COURT  MEETINGS. 


The  meetings  of  the  Court  must  be  called  to 
order  promptly  at  the  appointed  hour,  and  the 
Chief  Ranger  should  have  it  understood  with  the 
Vice  Chief  Ranger  that  the  latter  shall  proceed 
to  open  the  meeting  on  time  in  case  the  Chief 
Ranger  fails  to  be  at  hand. 

The  “Order  of  Business/’  prescribed  in  Art. 
XXIX  of  the  laws,  must  invariably  be  followed, 
and  the  standing  “Rules  of  Order,”  prescribed 
in  Art.  XXX,  must  govern  the  transaction  of  all 
business  at  Court  meetings. 

The  Chief  Ranger  should,  before  the  meeting, 
acquaint  himself  with  the  matters  that  will  be 
submitted  for  consideration,  so  that  he  may  have 
them  well  in  hand  and  be  prepared  to  give  any 
information  in  reference  thereto. 

During  the  course  of  the  meeting  the  Chief 
Ranger  must  preserve  strict  discipline  and  deco- 
rum, and  insist  that  the  members  conform  to  all 
the  regulations  set  forth  in  the  Vice  Chief  Rang- 
er’s instructions  to  candidates — pages 43-49;  and 


11 


he  must  not  permit  any  violation  to  pass  without 
calling  the  offender’s  attention  to  it,  with  the 
injunction  that  it  must  not  be  repeated. 

The  Financial  Secretary  should  be  at  hand^ 
before  the  meeting,  in  time  to  collect  all  assess- 
ments and  dues  that  members  may  be  prepared 
to  pay.  The  Conductors,  also,  should  be  at  hand 
in  good  season  and  make  all  necessary  prepara- 
tions for  the  meeting ; and  distribute  the  officers’ 
badges  to  the  respective  stations  and  place  the 
members’  badges  on  the  center  pedestal. 

The  Sentinels,  too,  should  be  at  the  hall  early, 
especially  when  there  are  candidates  for  initia- 
tion. They  alternately  must  act  as  Inside  and 
Outside  Sentinel. 

The  Outside  Sentinel  must  remain  in  the  ante- 
room as  long  as  the  Chief  Ranger  deems  it  nec- 
essary, but  always  until  the  ceremony  of  initia- 
tion begins,  if  there  is  to  be  one.  He  must  direct 
the  members,  especially  visiting  members,  to  the 
inner  door,  and,  if  there  be  two  or  more  seeking 
admittance  to  the  meeting,  he  must  not  allow 
crowding,  but  request  them  to  go  to  the  door  in 
turn,  and  keep  them  four  or  five  feet  from  the 
one  who  is  applying  for  admission.  In  the  case 


12 


of  High  Officials  of  the  Order  or  Catholic  Priests 
he  should  announce  them  to  the  Inside  Sentinel. 

When  a visit  is  paid  the  Court  by  a member 
of  the  High  or  of  a State  or  Provincial  Court, 
or  by  a Deputy  High  Chief  Ranger  or  a Chief 
Ranger  or  by  a Catholic  Priest,  the  visitor  should 
be  shown  due  respect  and  given  a seat  on  the 
Chief  Ranger’s  platform.  If  he  arrives  after  the 
meeting  has  been  opened  he  should  be  escorted 
into  the  hall  by  one  of  the  Conductors  or  by  a 
member  delegated  for  that  purpose  by  the  Chief 
Ranger,  and  the  members  should  be  called  upon 
to  rise  when  the  visitor  enters.  At  “Good  of  the 
Order”  the  visitor  should  be  introduced  to  the 
Court  and  called  upon  for  an  address.  If  there 
be  more  than  one  visitor  present  they  should  be 
recognized  in  the  order  of  their  rank. 


13 


INITIATIONS. 


What  has  already  been  said  in  reference  to 
memorizing  and  mastering  the  ceremonies  applies 
more  particularly  to  the  ceremony  of  initiation. 

At  his  initiation  the  candidate  receives  his  first 
introduction  to  the  Court  and  Order,  and  the  pur- 
pose of  the  ceremony  is  most  natural,  namely,  to 
make  a favorable  first  impression  upon  him  on 
that  occasion.  If  the  ceremony  is  performed  as 
it  should  be — intelligently  and  impressively — its 
full  beauty  and  meaning  will  be  brought  out ; 
and  not  only  will  the  candidate  be  edified  and 
elevated  by  the  high  and  noble  ideals  of  the  Or- 
der, but  the  ceremony  will  be  a means  of  contin- 
ual instruction  and  attraction  for  the  members  of 
the  Court. 

To  that  end  it  is  a prime  requisite  that  the 
officers  who  perform  the  ceremony  be  able  to 
render  their  parts  from  memory.  Not  even  a 
passing  success  can  be  expected  unless  the  sev- 
eral parts  be  spoken  to  the  candidates,  instead 
of  being  read  from  the  book ; and  spoken  from 


the  heart;  spoken  with  feeling  and  conviction, 
and  in  a manner  tending  to  best  impress  the 
minds  of  the  candidates.  A further  requisite  for 
an  impressive,  effective  and  attractive  ceremony 
is  the  carrying  out  in  a formal  manner  of  all  the 
incidentals  and  details — such  as  the  marches,  the 
music,  the  presentation  of  the  candidates  by  the 
Conductor,  etc. — else  there  will  be  no  ceremony. 

Every  Court  has  sufficient  talent  amongst  its 
membership  to  organize  an  initiation  team,  which, 
with  a little  painstaking,  will  be  able  to  perform 
the  ceremony  in  a satisfactory,  effective  and  cred- 
itable manner. 

An  indispensable  feature  for  an  impressive  per- 
formance of  the  initiation  ceremony  is  the  sing- 
ing of  the  Initiation  Ode.  Whenever  possible  it 
should  be  sung  in  two,  or  better  still,  in  four 
voices.  Every  member  should  be  urged  to  take 
an  interest  in  the  singing,  and  the  Ode  should 
be  practiced  at  Court  meetings  when  there  is  no 
initiation.  Those  who  cannot,  or  think  they  can- 
not, sing  should  nevertheless  be  provided  with 
copies  of  the  Ode,  so  that  they  may  follow  the 
singing  and  be  tempted  to  participate.  The  sing- 
ing should  be  accompanied  with  organ,  piano  or 


15 


violin,  else  much  of  the  solemn  effect  will  be  lost. 
The  Initiation  Ode  cards  with  music  for  two 
voices  are  supplied  by  the  High  Court  Office. 

The  ceremony  of  initiation  can  be  performed 
more  effectively  and  satisfactorily  with  six  or 
more  candidates  than  with  a less  number. 

Joint  initiations  by  two  or  more  Courts  are  rec- 
ommended. They  make  it  possible  to  have  a 
larger  number  of  candidates  than  can  be  secured 
by  a single  Court,  and  therefore  a correspond- 
ingly better,  more  attractive  and  imposing  cere- 
mony; and  they  contribute  towards  developing 
amongst  the  members  of  different  Courts  that 
social  and  fraternal  intercourse  so  very  desirable. 

When  performing  the  ceremony  of  initiation 
the  officers  may — but  only  when  tolerated  by  the 
Spiritual  Director  of  the  Court — be  appropriately 
gowned,  for  the  purpose  of  uniformity  in  dress. 
The  gowns  should  be  of  dark  material,  preferably 
black,  black  calico  or  sateen  being  quite  suitable. 
They  may  be  either  full  or  scapular  gowns,  and 
should  have  the  insignia  of  the  respective  offices 
on  the  front,  in  maroon-colored  fabric.  The  scapu- 
lar gown  is  neat,  simple  and  cheap,  but  the  wearer 
must  have  on  dark  clothes.  It  consists  of  a plain, 


16 

single  strip  of  goods,  about  twenty  inches  wide, 
which  hangs  from  the  shoulders  down  the  front 
and  back  to  within  a few  inches  of  the  floor.  It 
has  an  annular  opening  that  fits  snugly  around 
the  wearer’s  collar,  and  a flap  opening  on  the 
left  shoulder,  which  is  held  intact  by  means  of 
three  hooks  and  eyes,  this  latter  opening  being 
for  convenience  in  putting  on  and  taking  off ‘the 
gown,  instead  of  slipping  it  over  the  head. 

The  least  number  of  officers  that  should  wear 
gowns  is  six — the  Chief  Ranger,  the  Vice  Chief 
Ranger,  the  Past  Chief  Ranger,  and  the  Senior, 
Junior  and  Assistant  Conductors.  For  better 
effect  the  Treasurer,  the  two  Secretaries,  the  two 
Sentinels  and  the  two  temporary  Conductors 
may  also  be  provided  with  gowns. 

The  ceremony  of  initiation  must  be  conducted 
in  the  manner  and  form  described  in  this  book 
(see  Art.  XXVIII,  Sec.  7,  Par.  269),  and  the 
introduction  of  any  foreign  feature  of  whatever 
nature  is,  unless  approved  by  the  High  Court, 
strictly  forbidden. 


IT 


OPENING  CEREMONY. 


(For  gavel  signals  see  Sign,  Grip  and  Signal  Drill.) 

Promptly  at  the  appointed  hour,  or  as  soon  thereafter 
as  a quorum  is  present,  the  Chief  Ranger  (or  in  his 
absence  the  Vice  Chief  Ranger)  must  call  the  members 
to  order  by  giving  a series  of  raps  with  the  gavel.  As 
soon  as  there  is  sufficient  silence  for  him  to  be  heard, 
the  Chief  Ranger,  standing,  orders : 

C.  R.  “The  members  will  please  come  to  order 
and  the  officers  will  take  their  respective  stations." 

(One  rap.) 

(The  stations  of  the  officers  are  shown  in  Fig.  I 
page  7.  The  Outside  Sentinel’s  place  is  in  the  ante- 
room. ) 

The  Chief  Ranger  must  then  note  whether  any  of  the 
officers  be  absent,  and  if  so,  appoint  temporary  ones 
and  bid  them  to  take  the  respective  stations. 

(In  making  such  appointments  the  Chief  Ranger  must 
select  only  members  who  thoroughly  understand  the 
duties  of  the  offices  they  are  to  fill,  and  in  case  there 
be  no  such  members  present,  he  must  instruct  the 
appointees  in  their  duties.  This  applies  especially  to 
temporary  Conductors  and  Inside  Sentinel,  who  should 
be  acquainted  with  most,  if  not  with  all,  the  members 
of  the  Court.) 

The  Conductors  must  see  to  it  that  all  are  provided 
with  badges  and,  if  the  attendance  be  small  compared 
to  the  seating  capacity  of  the  hall,  assign  the  members 


18 


to  seats  about  equi-distant  from  each  other,  so  that  no 
parts  of  the  hall  will  be  crowded  whilst  others  are 
deserted. 

The  Chief  Ranger  then  orders : 

C.  R.  “Inside  Sentinel,  lock  the  door  and 
allow  no  one  to  enter  and  make  no  announcement 
until  ordered  to  do  so.  Do  you  understand  your 
duty?” 

The  Sentinel  locks  the  door  and  answers : 

I.  S.  “I  do,  Chief  Ranger.” 

The  Chief  Ranger  thereupon  orders  : 

C.  R.  “Conductors,  come  forward.” 

The  Conductors  go  to  the  center  pedestal,  salute  the 
Chief  Ranger  with  the  sign  and  await  his  instructions. 

The  Chief  Ranger  then  proceeds : 

C.  R.  '‘Conductors,  all  the  members  of  this 

Court*  (excepting  Brothers ) 

are  in  good  standing  and  are  entitled  to  seats  in 
this  meeting,  provided  they  have  the  grip  and 
the  password.  You  will  now  give  me  the  grip 
and  password  and  then  examine  every  one  in  the 
hall.  Do  you  understand  your  duties?” 

* (The  Chief  Ranger  must  name  those  under  suspension  or 
who  have  recently  been  expelled  or  otherwise  separated  from  the 
Court.) 


19 


The  Conductors  answer : 

Cs.  “I  do,  Chief  Ranger.” 

and  then  go  to  the  Chief  Ranger,  exchange  the  grip 
with  him  and  give  him  the  password,  and  proceed  to 
examine  every  person  in  the  hall  (Catholic  Priests  ex- 
cepted), the  Senior  Conductor  beginning  at  the  left  of 
the  Chief  Ranger  and  continuing  along  the  left  side  of 
the  hall,  the  Junior  Conductor  taking  the  opposite  side. 

If  either  Conductor  find  any  one  whom  he  does  not 
know  personally,  though  he  have  the  grip  and  password, 
the  Conductor  must  obtain  his  name  and  the  name  and 
number  of  his  Court,  and,  before  proceeding  any  further, 
report  to  the  Chief  Ranger  thus : 

C.  “Chief  Ranger,  Brother of  this 

Court”  or  “Brother of Court 

No ,” 

as  the  case  may  be,  and  await  the  Chief  Ranger’s  in- 
structions. 

If  the  person  in  question  be  a member  in  good  stand-  ' 
ing  of  the  Court,  or  if  he  be  a visiting  member  known 
to  the  Chief  Ranger  to  be  in  good  standing  in  the  Order, 
the  Chief  Ranger  declares  : 

C.  R.  “Brother is  entitled  to  a seat 

in  this  meeting.” 

But  if  the  person  in  question  is  not  known  to  the 
Chief  Ranger,  the  latter  must  first  assure  himself  of 
such  person’s  good  standing  in  the  Order  before  declar- 
ing him  entitled  to  a seat. 

(The  Chief  Ranger,  in  his  discretion,  may  accept  the 
assurance  of  any  officer  or  member  of  the  Order  as  to 
the  good  standing  of  a visitor,  or  he  may  accept  the 
latter’s  receipt  book,  showing  him  to  be  paid  up  to  date, 


20 


as  evidence  of  the  visitor's  good  standing  in  the  Order. 
In  case  a delegation  from  a Court  visits  another  Court 
either  one  of  the  officers  of  the  visitors’  Court  or  the 
leader  of  the  delegation  should  be  prepared  to  vouch 
for  all  the  members  of  the  delegation.) 

If  either  Conductor  find  any  one  not  in  possession  of 
either  the  grip  or  the  password,  the  Conductor  must 
request  him  to  go  to  the  Chief  Ranger  for  instruction. 

(The  Chief  Ranger  must  wait  until  the  Conductors 
have  examined  all  in  the  hall  before  instructing  those 
not  in  possession  of  either  the  grip  or  the  password, 
and  must  direct  such  applicants  to  form  in  single  file  to 
his  left.) 

After  the  Conductors  have  examined  every  one  in  the 
hall,  they  must,  if  there  be  any  members  waiting  for 
instruction,  go  to  the  Chief  Ranger’s  station,  where  one 
of  the  Conductors,  standing  to  the  left  of  the  Chief 
Ranger,  must  detain  each  successive  applicant  four  to 
five  feet  from  the  one  the  Chief  Ranger  is  instructing, 
whilst  the  other  Conductor,  standing  to  the  right  of  the 
Chief  Ranger,  examines  each  member  after  he  has  been 
instructed. 

(It  is  imperative  that  the  Chief  Ranger  must  under 
no  circumstances  give  either  the  grip  or  the  password  to 
any  person  whom  he  does  not  personally  know  to  be 
a member  in  good  standing  of  the  Court ; and  he  is 
empowered  to  give  the  grip  and  password  to  a visiting 
member  only  upon  the  presentation  by  such  member  of 
a valid  traveling  card  or  a written  request  for  the  grip 
and  password  from  his  Chief  Ranger,  such  request  being 
authenticated  with  the  seal  of  his  court  and  having  been 
issued  within  thirty  days. 

A visiting  Chief  Ranger  is  empowered  to  give  the 
grip  and  password  to  a member  whom  he  knows  to  be 
in  good  standing  in  his  Court. 

Any  person  found  not  to  be  entitled  to  a seat  in  the 
meeting  must  retire  from  the  hall  before  any  further 
procedure.) 


21 


After  the  Conductors  have  examined  every  one  m the 
hall  and  found  them  in  possession  of  the  grip  and  pass- 
word, and  to  be  otherwise  qualified  to  be  present,  they 
proceed  to  the  center  pedestal,  and  after  saluting,  report 
— each  in  turn — thus  : 

C.  “I  have  examined  all  on  this  side  of  the 
hall  ( indicating  the  side  with  the  hand ) and  find 
them  properly  qualified  and  entitled  to  seats  in 
this  meeting.” 

The  Chief  Ranger  thereupon  orders : 

C.  R.  “Resume  your  stations.” 

The  Conductors  salute  and  proceed  to  their  stations, 
and  the  Chief  Ranger  requests : 

C.  R.  “The  Reverend  Spiritual  Director  will 
please  say  the  opening  prayer.” 

(Two  raps.) 

If  the  Spiritual  Director  be  absent  the  Chief  Ranger 
must,  in  the  same  form,  call  upon  either  the  Past  Chief 
Ranger  or  the  Vice  Chief  Ranger  to  say  the  prayer. 
(The  opening  and  closing  prayers,  like  the  other  parts 
of  the  ceremonies,  should  be  memorized.) 


OPENING  PRAYER. 

Come,  Holy  Ghost,  fill  the  hearts  of  Thy  faithful,  and 
kindle  in  them  the  fire  of  Thy  love.  Send  forth  Thy 
Spirit,  and  they  shall  be  created,  and  Thou  shalt  renew 
the  face  of  the  earth.  O God,  who  hast  taught  the 
hearts  of  the  faithful  by  the  light  of  Thy  Holy  Spirit, 


22 


grant  us,  by  the  same  Spirit,  to  have  a right  judgment 
in  all  things,  and  evermore  to  rejoice  in  His  consola- 
tion, through  Jesus  Christ,  our  Lord. 

R.  Amen. 

Our  Father,  etc.  Hail  Mary,  etc. 

Seat  of  Wisdom.  R.  Pray  for  us. 

At  the  conclusion  of  the  prayer  the  Chief  Ranger 
gives  three  raps  and  formally  opens  the  meeting,  thus  : 


now  in  session  for  the  transaction  of  any  and 
all  business  that  may  be  brought  before  it  in  ac- 
cordance with  the  laws,  rules  and  regulations  of 
the  Order.  Please  bear  in  mind  that  we  meet 
for  our  mutual  benefit  and  for  that  of  our  families 
and  dependents ; let  this  be  the  key  to  all  our 
acts.  We  also  meet  as  Catholics;  let  this  be  the 
reason  for  conducting  our  deliberations  in  a man- 
ner becoming  intelligent  gentlemen; ” 

In  the  case  of  a special  meeting  of  the  Court  the  fol- 
lowing form  is  to  be  used : 

C.  R.  “Brothers,  I declare  that  

Court  No , Catholic  Order  of  Foresters,  is 

now  in  special  session  for  the  purpose  of  ( state 
the  purpose  or  business  for  which  the  meeting 
zvas  called ),  in  accordance  with  the  laws,  rules 
and  regulations  of  the  Order.” 


Court 


C.  R. 


“Brothers,  I declare  that  

lid Catholic  Order  of  Foresters,  is 


23 


In  the  case  of  a joint  special  meeting  of  two  or  more 
Courts  for  the  holding  of  a joint  initiation,  the  follow- 
ing form  is  to  be  used  by  the  presiding  Chief  Ranger: 

C.  R.  “Brothers,  I declare  that  

Court  No , and Court  No , 

Catholic  Order  of  Foresters,  are  now  in  special 
session  for  the  purpose  of  holding  a joint  initia- 
tion, in  accordance  with  the  laws,  rules  and  regu- 
lation of  the  Order.'’ 

(The  Chief  Ranger  gives  one  rap  and  then  orders:) 

C.  R.  “Inside  Sentinel,  you  may  now,  as  well 
as  later  on,  announce  any  member  seeking  ad- 
mittance.” 

The  Sentinel  must  obtain  the  name  of  any  member  in 
waiting  and,  if  he  be  a visitor,  the  name  and  number  of 
his  court.  He  must  also  ask  the  applicant  for  the  pass- 
word and  then  make  his  announcement  in  one  of  the 
following  forms,  whichever  will  suit  the  case : 


1.  “Chief  Ranger,  brother  of  this 

Court,  with  the  password.” 

2.  “Chief  Ranger,  brother  of  this 

Court,  without  the  password.” 

3.  “Chief  Ranger,  brother of 

Court  No , with  the  password.” 

4.  “Chief  Ranger,  brother of 


Court  No , without  the  password/’ 


24 


If,  in  the  first  and  second  cases,  the  member  be  in 
good  standing  in  the  Court,  and  if,  in  the  third  case, 
the  visiting  member  is  known  to  the  Chief  Ranger  to 
be  in  good  standing  in  the  Order,  the  Chief  Ranger 
orders : 

C.  R.  “Admit  him.” 

But  if,  in  the  third  case,  the  visiting  member  is  not 
known  to  the  Chief  Ranger,  the  latter  must  first  assure 
himself  of  such  member’s  good  standing  in  the  Order 
before  ordering  him  admitted. 

In  the  fourth  case  the  Chief  Ranger  is  empowered  to 
order  the  admission  of  the  visiting  member  only  when 
the  Chief  Ranger  of  such  member’s  Court  is  present  and 
gives  his  consent,  or  if  such  member  has  either  a valid 
traveling  card  or  a written  request  for  the  grip  and  pass- 
word from  his  Chief  Ranger,  such  request  being  authen- 
ticated with  the  seal  of  his  Court  and  having  been 
issued  within  thirty  days. 

The  Sentinel  having  been  instructed  by  the  Chief 
Ranger  to  admit  a member  in  waiting,  opens  the  door 
and,  as  the  member  enters,  exchanges  the  grip  with  him. 

If  a member  so  admitted  is  without  either  the  grip  or 
the  password,  one  of  the  Conductors  must  accompany 
him  to  the  station  of  the  Chief  Ranger  and,  after  the 
latter  has  instructed  the  member,  take  the  grip  and  pass- 
word from  him. 

If  no  members  are  seeking  admittance,  or  when  all  in 
waiting  have  been  disposed  of  as  explained  above,  the 
Chief  Ranger  proceeds  with  the  “Order  of  Business”  as 
prescribed  in  Article  XXIX  of  the  laws  of  the  Order. 

If  any  member  seeks  admittance  during  the  course  of 
the  meeting  he  must  be  treated  in  the  same  manner  as 
explained  above,  but  he  should  not  be  admitted,  nor 
should  the  Sentinel  announce  him  when  it  would  dis- 
turb any  of  the  business  of  the  meeting. 


25 


To  save  time  and  annoyance  when  a large  number  of 
members  seek  admittance  at  the  same  time,  the  Inside 
Sentinel  should  step  into  the  ante-room  and  obtain  the 
required  information  from  those  in  waiting  and  then  re- 
turn and  announce  all  such  members  to  the  Chief 
Ranger. 

At  “Roll  Call  of  Officers”  the  Senior  Conductor  must 
stand  at  the  center  pedestal  and  answer  “present” , or 
“absent”  as  the  Recording  Secretary  calls  the  names, 
which  should  be  called  in  the  following  order.  S.  D., 
C.  R.,  V.  C.  R.,  P.  C.  R.,  R.  S.,  F.  S.,  T.,  Ts.,  S.  C., 
J.  G,  I.  S.,  and  O.  S. 

(In  calling  the  roll  both  the  title  and  name  of  each 
officer  must  be  called,  for  example : “Chief  Ranger, 

Thos.  H.  Blank;  Recording  Secretary,  Theo.  B.  Blank; 
Trustees,  J.  F.  Blank,  Phil.  J.  Blank,  E.  S.  Blank.”) 

At  “Roll  Call  of  Members”  each  member  answers 
“present”  for  himself  when  his  name  is  called. 

(In  lieu  of  calling  the  names  at  roll  call  the  members 
may  write  them  on  cards,  which  the  Conductors  must 
collect  and  hand  to  the  Recording  Secretary;  or  each 
member  in  turn  may  be  bidden  to  rise  and  give  his 
name,  which  the  Recording  Secretary  must  note.) 

After  the  entire  “Order  of  Business”  has  been  gone 
through,  or  after  the  business  of  a special  meeting  has 
been  transacted,  a motion  to  “proceed  to  close  the  meet- 
ing” will  be  in  order. 


20 


CLOSING  CEREMONY. 


A motion  to  “proceed  to  close”  having  prevailed,  or 
there  being  no  further  business  to  transact,  the  Chief 
Ranger,  standing,  says : 

C.  R.  “Brothers,  we  will  proceed  to  close  this 
meeting  in  regular  form.  The  Conductors  will 
please  collect  the  badges." 

The  Conductors  proceed  to  collect  the  badges  (two 
shallow  baskets  or  trays  should  be  provided  for  that 
purpose),  and  the  Chief  Ranger  continues: 

C.  R.  “Financial  Secretary,  what  are  the  re- 
ceipts of  the  Court  since  the  last  regular  meet- 

mg?” 

The*  Financial  Secretary  reports  in  the  following 
form,  speaking  slowly  so  as  to  enable  the  Recording 
Secretary  and  the  Treasurer  to  write  it  down: 

F.  S.  “The  receipts  are  : Benefit  fund, 

Court  fund,  Contingent  fund, 

Total,  $ ” 

C.  R.  “Treasurer,  will  you  receive  and  receipt 
for  these  moneys  at  the  close  of  the  meeting  and 
credit  them  to  the  respective  funds?" 

The  Treasurer  must  answer. 


27 


C.  R.  “Recording  Secretary,  have  you  kept  a 
true  record  of  the  acts  of  this  meeting?  (The 
Recording  Secretary  must  answer.)  And  have 
you  noted  the  receipts  of  the  Court  as  reported 
by  the  Financial  Secretary  ?” 

The  Recording  Secretary  must  answer. 

As  soon  as  the  Conductors  have  finished  collecting 
the  badges,  the  Chief  Ranger  requests : 

C.  R.  “The  Reverend  Spiritual  Director  will 
please  sav  the  closing  prayer.” 

(Two  raps.) 


CLOSING  PRAYER. 

Under  Thy  protection  we  take  refuse,  O Holy  Mother 
of  God.  Despise  not  our  petitions  in  our  necessities, 
but  deliver  us  from  all  dangers,  O ever  glorious  and 
blessed  Virgin. 

Our  Father,  etc.  Hail  Mary,  etc. 

May  the  souls  of  our  departed  brothers  and  of  all  the 
faithful  departed,  through  the  mercy  of  God,  rest  in 
peace.  R.  Amen. 

At  the  conclusion  of  the  prayer  the  Chief  Ranger 
gives  three  raps  and  then  formally  closes  the  meeting 
thus : 

C.  R.  “Brothers,  the  work  of  our  meeting  is 
performed.  Let  us  part  as  we  met — in  a spirit 
of  unity  and  brotherly  love.  Let  all  our  acts  at 


28 


all  times  be  governed  by  the  sublime  precepts  of 
our  Order,  and  the  world  will  learn  that  a good 
Catholic  and  a true  Forester  is  the  highest  type 
of  a citizen.  *Do  not  fail  to  attend  the  next 

meeting,  which  will  be  held ” (give  day 

and  date , and  call  particular  attention  to  any  spe- 
cial feature  of  that  meeting). 

The  Chief  Ranger  then  gives  one  rap  and,  making  the 
sign  of  salute,  says : 

C.  R.  “Brothers,  good  night,"'  or  “good  after- 
noon” (as  the  case  may  be). 

The  members,  in  acknowledgment,  also  make  the  sign 
and  say  in  unison : 

Members.  “Chief  Ranger,  good  night,”  or 
“good  afternoon.” 

* (This  latter  part  is  to  be  omitted  in  the  case  of  a special 
meeting.) 


29 


INITIATION  CEREMONY. 


(Initiations  may  be  held  either  at  a regular  meeting 
of  the  Court  or  at  a special  meeting  called  for  that  pur- 
pose, but  must  in  the  case  of  candidates  for  regular 
membership  be  held  within  thirty  days  after  the  High 
Medical  Examiner’s  approval.  Joint  initiations  can  be 
held  more  satisfactorily  at  special  meetings.) 

(If  there  be  any  candidates — cardinals,  bishops  or 
priests — whom  the  laws  of  the  Order  exempt  from 
undergoing  the  ceremony  of  initiation,  they  should,  be- 
fore the  ceremony  begins,  be  caused  to  sign  the  obliga- 
tion of  the  Order  and  to  pay  the  prescribed  fees  and 
dues,  and  then  be  invested  with  the  regalia  and  intro- 
duced to  the  Court,  unless  they  express  the  desire  to 
go  through  the  ceremony  with  the  other  candidates.) 

PRELIMINARY. 

As  soon  as  the  candidates  arrive,  they  must  be  taken 
in  charge  by  the  Outside  Sentinel,  or  by  a member 
appointed  for  that  purpose,  who  must  care  for  their 
hats,  overcoats  and  other  superfluous  garments ; ac- 
quaint the  candidates  with  each  other  and  see  to  it  that 
they  are  made  comfortable.  Members  must  not  be 
allowed  to  remain  with  the  candidates  or  engage  them  in 
conversation. 

When  “Initiation”  in  the  “Order  of  Business”  has 
been  reached  and  the  Recording  Secretary  has  the  High 
Medical  Examiner’s  approval  of  the  candidates  that  are 
in  waiting  for  initiation  (in  case  of  candidates  for 
honorary  membership  no  such  approval  is  required), 
the  Chief  Ranger  orders : 


30 


C.  R.  “Financial  Secretary,  proceed  to  the 
ante-room  and  collect  the  prescribed  fees  and 
dues  from  the  candidates  and  cause  them  to  sign 
the  obligation  of  the  Order.” 

The  Financial  Secretary  goes  to  the  ante-room  taking 
all  necessary  blanks  and  writing  materials  with  him. 

The  initiating  officers  then  proceed  to  invest  them- 
selves with  their  gowns,  if  such  be  in  use,  the  badges, 
of  course,  are  to  be  worn  on  the  outer  side  of  the  gowns. 
The  Chief  Ranger  appoints  one  assistant  Conductor  to 
serve  with  the  regular  Conductors  and  two  temporary 
ones  to  occupy  the  regular  Conductors’  seats  during 
the  initiation. 

The  Chief  Ranger  then  directs  the  removal  from  the 
pedestals  and  from  the  backs  of  the  officers’  chairs 
everything  not  belonging  there,  and  the  placing  and 
arranging  of  all  appurtenances  in  orderly  and  proper 
position. 

The  Conductors  must  distribute  the  Initiation  Ode 
Cards ; see  to  it  that  all  members  are  provided  with 
badges ; and  provide  the  Chief  Ranger  with  a sufficient 
number  of  badges,  proposition  blanks  and  copies  of  the 
laws  and  by-laws  for  the  candidates. 

(It  is  a good  plan  to  distribute  amongst  the  other 
members  those  who  are  able  to  lead  in  the  singing, 
instead  of  having  all  the  good  singers  together.) 

The  Chief  Ranger  must  then,  so  far  as  he  deems  it 
necessary,  instruct  the  members  as  to  their  deportment 
during  the  ceremony.  First  call  attention  to  the  pur- 
pose of  the  ceremony  and  the  consequent  necessity  for 
performing  it  in  a dignified  and  impressive  manner. 
Then  request  the  members,  if  smoking  is  being  indulged 
in,  to  refrain  from  doing  so  during  the  initiation,  and 
insist  that  pipes  and  cigars  be  laid  aside — not  held  in 


31 


the  hand ; also  request  that  all  remove  their  overcoats 
and  lay  aside  their  hats.  Warn  the  members  not  to 
stare  or  smile  at  the  candidates,  or  to  give  them  even 
the  slightest  sign  of  recognition.  Remind  them  to  give 
close  and  respectful  attention  to  the  work  in  hand,  espe- 
cially to  the  instructions  of  the  Vice  Chief  Ranger  to 
the  candidates.  Instruct  them  also  to  render  prompt 
obedience  to  the  gavel  signals  (which  should  be  ex- 
plained), and,  when  rising  from  or  taking  their  seats, 
to  do  it  in  as  noiseless  and  orderly  a manner  as  possible. 
Forbid  them  to  cross  the  hall,  leave  their  places  or  retire 
whilst  the  initiation  is  in  progress ; in  a word,  forbid 
them  to  do  anything  that  would  in  the  least  lessen  the 
impressiveness  and  solemnity  of  the  ceremony.  Urge 
all,  even  those  who  think  they  cannot  sing,  to  join  in 
the  singing  as  best  they  can,  and  to  pronounce  the  words 
as  distinctly  as  possible  so  that  the  candidates  may 
understand  them  and  be  impressed  with  the  sentiments 
the  Ode  is  intended  to  convey.  Also  call  attention  to 
the  repetition  of  the  second  line  of  each  stanza  of  the 
Ode;  explain  that  the  signal  to  begin  singing  is  the 
command  “March,”  which  the  Conductor  will  give  to 
the  candidates  after  the  warning  word  “Forward;”  and 
request  that  all  begin  promptly  and  in  unison. 

The  Chief  Ranger  should  also  instruct  the  Inside 
Sentinel  that  during  the  initiation  he  may  admit  any 
properly  qualified  member  whom  he  personally  knows 
to  be  a member  in  good  standing  of  the  Court  or  of 
the  Order,  but  only  when  it  will  not  distract  the  candi- 
dates or  disturb  the  ceremony,  and  direct  such  member 
to  a nearby  seat. 

If  the  number  of  candidates  be  large,  and  therefore 
requiring  considerable  time  for  the  collection  of  the 
fees  and  dues,  the  “Order  of  Business”  should  now  be 
continued  until  the  Financial  Secretary  is  through. 

When  the  Financial  Secretary  returns  from  the  ante- 
room he  proceeds  to  the  center  pedestal  and  reports  in 
this  form : 


f.  S.  “Chief  Ranger,  I have  collected  the  pre- 
scribed fees  and  dues  from  the  candidates,  and 
they  have  signed  the  obligation  of  the  Order. ” 

The  Chief  Ranger  thereupon  orders  : 

C.  R.  “The  Conductors  will  proceed  to  the 
ante-room  and  prepare  the  candidates  for  initia- 
tion.” 

The  three  Conductors  at  once  proceed  to  the  ante- 
room and,  pending  their  return  with  the  candidates, 
the  accompanist  for  the  instruction  of  the  members  plays 
the  initiation  ode,  which  should  be  in  slow,  march  time. 

(the  accompanist  should  be  instructed  that  in  case 
the  candidates  do  not  reach  their  positions  by  the  time 
the  singing  is  concluded  he  must  continue  to  play  either 
the  ode  or  an  appropriate  interlude  until  one  rap  of  the 
gavel  is  given  by  the  Chief  Ranger.) 

(dhe  Senior  Conductors  part  in  the  ceremony  is  a 
most  important  one,  and  he  must  undertake  its  per- 
formance  with  perfect  confidence  in  himself  and  in  a 
manner  that  will  at  once  command  the  respect  and 
attention  of  the  candidates.  He  must  give  the  instruc- 
tions and  directions  in  a dignified,  clear  and  unmistak- 
able manner.  He  must  not  allow  the  candidates  to  in- 
dulge in  pleasantries  or  levity,  and,  if  they  persist,  he 
must  not  hesitate  to  reprimand  them  and  to  inform  them 
that  the  initiation  they  are  about  to  undergo  is  not  a 
frivolous  but  a very  serious  matter.) 

As  soon  as  the  Conductors  "arrive  in  the  ante-room, 
the  Senior  Conductor  requests  the  candidates  to  rise 
and  form  in  line  as  he  calls  their  names.  He  then 
proceeds  to  call  the  names  of  the  duly  qualified  can- 
didates— those  for  honorary  as  well  as  those  for  regu- 
lar membership — from  a list  furnished  him  by  the  Finan- 


33 


cial  Secretary.  The  Junior  and  the  Assistant  Conduc- 
tors then  arrange  the  candidates  in  single  file  in  the 
order  of  their  height,  the  shortest  one  at  the  forward 
end  of  the  file  ; and,  if  not  already  done,  request  and 
assist  the  candidates  to  lay  aside  their  hats,  overcoats 
and  other  superfluous  garments,  all  of  which  must  be 
cared  for  by  the  Outside  Sentinel  or  by  a member 
appointed  for  that  purpose.  The  Junior  Conductor  then 
assumes  position  at  the  forward  end  of  the  file  and  the 
Assistant  Conductor  at  the  rear  end. 

The  Senior  Conductor  must  then  instruct  the  candi- 
dates in  about  the  following  form,  speaking  slowly  and 
in  a conversational  tone : 

S.  C.  “Candidates,  please  give  me  your  atten- 
tion. During  the  course  of  the  initiation  cere- 
mony you  will  be  given  various  commands  which 
I will  now  explain,  and  which  you  must  endeavor 
to  execute  promptly  and  properly.  When  I com- 
mand ‘Forward-March’  you  must  start  out  with 
the  left  foot  at  the  word  ‘March,’  thus  ( exempli- 
fying),  and  while  marching  keep  step  to  the 
music  and  maintain  a uniform  space  of  at  least 
eighteen  inches  between  each  other.  At  the  com- 
mand 'Candidates,  halt,’  you  must  come  to  rest 
promptly  at  the  word  'Halt’  and  remain  in  your 
positions  until  I give  the  command  'Left  face,5 
which  is  executed  by  turning  to  the  left,  thus 
{exemplifying) . Before  resuming  the  march  I 
will  give  the  command  'Right  face,’  which  is 


34 


executed  by  turning  to  the  right,  thus  {exempli- 
fying). You  will  also  be  asked  several  questions, 
which  you  must  answer  by  responding,  'I  do/ 
'I  am/  'I  did’  or  'I  will/  as  the  questions  may 
indicate;  you  must  not  answer  ‘yes,  sir,’  or  ‘no, 
sir’ ; please  remember  this ; and  when  making 
the  answers  and  repeating  the  Obligation  of  the 
Order  you  must  speak  distinctly,  moderately  loud 
and  in  unison  with  each  other.  Pay  close  and 
respectful  attention  to  everything  that  is  said  and 
done,  and  conduct  yourselves  as  Catholic  gentle- 
men throughout  the  ceremony.” 

The  Senior  Conductor,  having  assured  himself  that 
all  preparations  in  the  hall  are  completed,  then  proceeds 
to  the  inner  door  and  announces  himself  with  candi- 
dates to  the  Inside  Sentinel. 

(During  the  ceremony  the  Senior  Conductor  has  en- 
tire charge  of  the  floor;  he  directs  the  marches  and  acts 
as  commandant.) 

THE,  CEREMONY. 

The  Inside  Sentinel  announces : 

/.  Y.  “Chief  Ranger,  the  Senior  Conductor 
with  candidates  seeks  admittance.” 

The  Chief  Ranger  gives  three  raps  and  then  orders : 

C.  R.  “Admit  the  Senior  Conductor  with  can- 
didates.” 


35 


36 


The  singing  of  the  first  stanza  of  the  Initiation  Ode 
is  at  once  begun  and  the  Sentinel  opens  the  door. 

The  Senior  Conductor  commands : 

S'.  C.  “Candidates,  forward — march.” 

The  Junior  Conductor,  under  the  direction  of  the 
Senior  Conductor,  leads  the  candidates  to  the  station 
of  the  Chief  Ranger  over  the  line  of  march  shown  in 
the  diagram.  Fig.  2,  by  broken  lines,  the  direction  of 
the  march  being  indicated  by  the  arrows. 

(At  this  station,  and  at  each  succeeding  one,  the 
candidates7  resting  positions  should  be  twelve  to  fifteen 
feet  from  the  respective  officer,  and  in  the  form  of  a 
semi-circle,  as  shown  in  the  diagram,  wherein  the  posi- 
tions of  eight  candidates  are  indicated  by  light  circles ; 
the  heavy  circles,  a,  b,  and  c,  showing  the  positions  of 
the  Senior,  Junior  and  Assistant  Conductors,  respec- 
tively. I11  case  the  number  of  candidates  be  very  large, 
it  may  be  necessary  to  place  them  so  as  to  form  three 
sides  of  a hollow  square.) 

The  Senior  Conductor  must  take  up  a position  from 
which  he  can  observe  the  progress  of  both  the  front  and 
rear  ends  of  the  file  of  candidates,  and  as  soon  as  the 
latter  have  reached  the  positions  forming  a symmetrical 
semi-circle  in  front  of  the  Chief  Ranger  he  commands  : 

.S'.  C.  “Candidates,  halt.” 

He  then  awaits  the  conclusion  of  the  singing  if  the  lat- 
ter has  not  already  been  reached. 

(The  speed  at  which  the  candidates  should  be 
marched  must  be  regulated  in  accordance  with  the  size 
of  the  hall  and  the  number  of  candidates,  so  that  the 
completion  of  the  march  and  the  singing  will,  as  nearly 
as  possible,  coincide.) 


In  case  the  candidates  have  not  reached  their  resting 
positions  when  the  singing  of  the  stanza  is  concluded, 
the  accompanist  must  continue  to  play  either  the  Ode 
or  an  appropriate  interlude. 

As  soon  as  the  singing  is  concluded  and  the  candi- 
dates have  been  halted,  the  Chief  Ranger  gives  one  rap. 
The  members  take  their  seats,  but  the  Chief  Ranger  re- 
mains standing. 

The  Senior  Conductor  commands : 

C.  “Candidates,  left  face.” 

After  seeing  to  it  that  the  candidates  are  in  orderly 
position,  and  standing  about  midway  between  the  candi- 
dates and  the  Chief  Ranger,  he  salutes  the  latter  and 
introduces  the  candidates  thus : 

C.  “Chief  Ranger,  I present  candidates  for 
initiation  into  the  Catholic  Order  of  Foresters.” 

The  Chief  Ranger  inquires : 

C.  R.  “What  assurance  have  you  that  they 
are  worthy  of  membership  in  our  Order?” 

The  Senior  Conductor  responds : 

S.  C.  “They  have  been  recommended  by  two 
of  our  members  *(by  the  Organizer),  have  been 
duly  elected  to  membership  and  have  otherwise 
qualified  as  required  by  the  laws  of  the  Order.” 

* (Used  at  the  institution  of  a Court.) 


The  Senior  Conductor  then  salutes  and  assumes 
position  at  the  side  of  the  Junior  Conductor,  as  indi- 
cated at  a,  in  the  diagram. 

The  Chief  Ranger  then  proceeds  to  question  the  can- 
didates, speaking  slowly  and  distinctly,  thus : 

C.  R.  “Candidates,  do  you  say  that  you  desire 
to  be  initiated  into  the  Catholic  Order  of  Fores- 
ters ?” 

The  candidates  must  answer,  and  if  they  fail  to  re- 
spond promptly  the  Chief  Ranger  must  request  them  to 
answer. 

The  Chief  Ranger  then  continues,  giving  ample  time 
for  the  candidates  to  answer  after  each  question : 

C.  R.  “Are  you — each  individual  one — a prac- 
tical Roman  Catholic  ?” 

C.  R.  “Are  you  now  over  eighteen  and  under 
forty-five  years  of  age?” 

C.  R.  “Will  you  always  be  temperate  in  your 
habits  and  gentlemanly  in  your  conduct?” 

C.  R.  “Will  you  practice  the  principles  of  our 
Order  with  your  brother  members  to  the  very 
best  of  your  ability?” 

C.  R.  “Will  you  do  all  in  your  power  to  pro- 
tect the  Order  and  its  members  from  defama- 
tion?” 


39 


C.  R.  “Are  you  now  prepared  to  take  the 
binding  obligation  of  the  Catholic  Order  of  For- 
esters ?” 

The  Chief  Ranger,  turning  towards  the  Senior  Con- 
ductor, then  orders : 

C.  R.  “Senior  Conductor,  present  the  candi- 
dates to  the  Past  Chief  Ranger,  who  will  admin- 
ister the  obligation  of  the  Order.” 

The  Senior  Conductor  steps  forward  to  about  mid- 
way between  the  candidates  and  the  Chief  Ranger’s  sta- 
tion and  commands : 

S.  C.  “Candidates,  right  face.” 

The  Chief  Ranger  gives  three  raps,  the  members  rise 
and  then  the  Senior  Conductor  commands : 

C.  “Forward, — march.” 

At  the  latter  word  of  command  the  singing  of  the 
second  stanza  of  the  Ode  begins. 

The  Junior  Conductor  leads  the  file  of  candidates  over 
the  line  of  march,  shown  in  the  diagram,  to  the  station 
of  the  Past  Chief  Ranger. 

(In  case  of  a narrow  hall  where  there  is  insufficient 
space  between  the  Past  Chief  Ranger’s  station  and  the 
center  pedestal  the  Senior  Conductor  must  remove  the 
latter  and  afterwards  replace  it.) 

(The  Past  Chief  Ranger  and  the  Vice  Chief  Ranger 
remain  standing  after  the  completion  of  the  singing 
when  the  candidates  are  at  their  stations.) 


40 


The  candidates  having  reached  their  positions  in 
front  of  the  Past  Chief  Ranger’s  station,  and  the  sing- 
ing being  concluded  and  the  members  seated,  the  Senior 
Conductor  proceeds  as  before  and  then  introduces  the 
candidates  thus  : 

5*.  C.  "Past  Chief  Ranger,  I present  candi- 
dates who  desire  to  take  the  Obligation  of  the 
Catholic  Order  of  Foresters/' 

The  Past  Chief  Ranger  then  proceeds,  slowly  and  im- 
pressively, thus : 

P.  C.  R.  "Candidates,  the  obligation  which 
you  are  required  to  take  is  a comprehensive  one. 
In  taking  it,  however,  you  will  not  assume  any- 
thing in  conflict  with  your  duty  to  church,  coun- 
try, home  or  loved  ones,  but  you  will  be  bound 
to  render  strict  obedience  to  the  laws  of  our 
Order,  both  in  letter  and  in  spirit.  With 
this  understanding  are  you  willing  to  take  the 
obligation  ?” 

If  the  candidates  fail  to  respond  promptly  they  must 
be  requested  to  answer,  and  having  answered,  the  Past 
Chief  Ranger  proceeds : 

P.  C.  R.  "Then  raise  your  right  hands  ( ex- 
emplifying with  the  hand  open  and  Ungers  to- 
gether) and  repeat  after  me." 

The  Chief  Ranger  gives  three  raps  and,  when  the 
members  have  risen  and  all  is  orderly,  the  Past  Chief 


41 


Ranger,  holding  his  own  right  hand  in  a raised  position 
and  speaking  slowly,  distinctly  and  impressively,  admin- 
isters the  following  obligation,  division  by  division, 
giving  the  candidates  ample  time  to  repeat  after  him: 


OBLIGATION. 

“I  solemnly  promise  | that  I will  respect  and 
uphold  | the  constitution  and  laws  | of  the  Cath- 
olic Order  of  Foresters,  | and  obey  all  commands 
| of  the  High  Court,  | of  the  State  (Provincial) 
Court,  | and  of  the  subordinate  Court  | of  which 
I am  a member,  | provided  such  commands  j do 
not  conflict  | with  my  civil  liberty  | or  the  teach- 
ings of  the  Roman  Catholic  Church ; | that  I will 
never  use  for  any  purpose  ] or  communicate  to 
any  person,  j except  as  prescribed  in  the  ritual  j 
and  the  laws,  rules  and  regulations,  |*  any  of  the 
signs,  | grips,  | passwords  | or  business  affairs 
of  the  Order ; | that  I will  not  defraud  or  wrong  j 
any  member  or  department  of  the  Order,  | or  suf- 
fer it  to  be  done  by  others  | if  in  my  power  to 
prevent ; | that  I will  not  tolerate  | anything  of 
a political  nature  | at  any  meeting  of  the  Or- 
der ; | that  I will  not  disparage  | any  member  ] 
because  of  his  nationality,  | color  or  race ; | that  I 
will  assist  j a member  or  his  family,  | when  in 


42 


distress,  | so  far  as  charity  requires  | and  my 
circumstances  permit ; | and  that  I will  do  all  in 
my  power  | to  promote  the  best  interests  and 
welfare  | of  my  Court  and  of  the  Order.  | And 
I further  promise  | that  should  I violate,  | in  let- 
ter or  in  spirit,  | any  part  of  this  obligation,  | or 
the  form  subscribed  by  me,  | I hereby  agree  | to 
be  expelled,  | and  should  I be  expelled  | or  leave 
the  Order  | I will  consider  | this  obligation  | still 
binding.  | To  all  of  which  | I pledge  my  word 
of  honor  | as  a man  and  a Catholic/’ 

At  the  conclusion  of  the  obligation  the  Chief  Ranger 
gives  one  rap  and,  when  the  members  have  taken  their 
seats,  the  Past  Chief  Ranger  continues : 

P.  C.  R.  “By  this  pledge  you  are  bound  to  us 
and  have  assumed  the  duties  of  membership,  and 
you  are  now  entitled  to  instruction  in  the  secret 
and  other  work  of  our  Order.” 

Addressing  himself  to  the  Senior  Conductor,  the  Past 
Chief  Ranger  then  orders : 

P.  C.  R . “Senior  Conductor,  present  the  can- 
didates to  the  Vice  Chief  Ranger,  who  will  give 
them  all  necessary  instructions.” 

The  Senior  Conductor  proceeds  as  before ; the  Chief 
Ranger  gives  three  raps ; the  members  rise  and  at  the 


43 


command  “March,”  the  singing  of  the  third  stanza  of 
the  Ode  is  begun. 

Arrived  at  the  Vice  Chief  Ranger’s  station,  and  when 
all  is  ready,  the  Senior  Conductor  introduces  the  candi- 
dates thus : 

V.  C.  “Vice  Chief  Ranger,  I present  candi- 
dates who  are  entitled  to  instruction.” 

The  Vice  Chief  Ranger  then  proceeds  to  give  the  fol- 
lowing instructions  in  a slow,  conversational  and  ex- 
planatory style,  exercising  every  care  to  be  clearly  un- 
derstood by  the  candidates : 


INSTRUCTIONS. 

V.  C.  R.  “Candidates,  I will  ask  you  to  pay 
close  attention  to  my  instructions,  because  the 
knowledge  they  impart  is  indispensable  to  you  as 
members  of  the  Catholic  Order  of  Foresters. 

“This  branch  of  our  Order  is  (*will  be) 
known  as Court,  No ” 

(In  case  of  a joint  initiation  the  Vice  Chief  Ranger 
must  give  the  names  and  numbers  of  the  several  Courts 
having  candidates  initiated,  using  this  form: 

“The  respective  branches  of  our  Order  of 
which  you  will  be  members  are  known  as 

And  at  the  institution  of  a court  he  must  use  the  phrase 
indicated  by  the  star.) 


44 


“Being  a fraternal  society  the  members  of  the 
Order  address  each  other  'brother’.” 

“The  Order  has  signs,  a grip  and  a password, 
which  are  to  be  used  only  as  I will  explain,  and 
which  you  must  never  disclose  to  any  one — not 
even  to  a member  of  the  Order — except  when 
you  are  acting  in  the  capacity  of  a duly  author- 
ized officer.” 

“The  sign  of  salute  is  made  by  placing  the 
right  hand — thumb  and  other  fingers  extended 
but  held  together — over  the  heart  ( exemplifying ) 
and  bowing  the  head — not  the  body — slightly. 
( Exemplify  and  then  request :)  'Candidates, 

make  the  sign  of  salute.’  ( When  all  have  made 
it  properly , continue :)  I will  explain  the  uses  of 
this  sign  later. 

“The  sign  of  recognition  is  made  by  ( explain 
and  exemplify  sign , and  then  bid  the  candidates 
to  make  it.)  The  countersign  is  the  answer  to 
the  sign  of  recognition,  and  is  made  by  ( explain 
and  exemplify  countersign , and  bid  the  candi- 
dates repeat  it.)  Should  you  happen  to  be  in  a 
company  of  men  and  wish  to  know  without  in- 
quiring whether  any  of  them  be  a Forester  you 


45 


may  employ  this  sign  of  recognition  ( exemplify- 
ing),  making  it  so  deftly  as  not  to  attract  the 
attention  of  any  one  not  a member  of  the  Order. 
If  a Forester  be  amongst  them  he  will  notice  this 
sign  and  answer  it  with  the  countersign  (exem- 
plifying ). 

“The  grip  is  given  and  returned  in  this 
wise  ( explain  and  exemplify  the  grip  with  the 
aid  of  the  Senior  Conductor , who  must  step  up  to 
the  Vice  Chief  Ranger  for  that  purpose , and  then 
hid  the  Conductors  to  exchange  the  grip  with  the 
candidates) . The  grip  should  always  be  ex- 
changed when  greeting  a brother  member,  and 
it  must  be  exchanged  with  certain  officers  at  the 
meeting  of  a Court,  as  I will  explain  later. 

“The  password  will  be  given  you  by  the  Chief 
Ranger. 

“We  also  have  gavel  signals  ( taking  up  the 
gavel)  employed  by  the  Chief  Ranger  when  pre- 
siding at  the  meetings  of  the  Court.  One  rap 
( exemplifying ) is  the  signal  for  order — silence — 
and  for  the  members  to  take  their  seats ; and  it  is 
also  used  by  way  of  confirming  the  result  of  a 
vote  as  declared  by  the  ‘chair’  or  a ruling  made 


46 


by  him.  Two  raps  ( exemplifying ) is  the  signal 
for  all  to  kneel.  Three  raps  ( exemplifying ) the 
signal  for  all  to  rise  to  their  feet;  and  a series 
of  raps  is  used  for  calling  the  meeting  to  order. 

“When,  at  the  opening  of  a Court  meeting,  the 
Conductor  approaches  you,  you  must  rise  in  your 
place,  exchange  the  grip  with  him  and  give  him 
the  password  in  a whisper.  If  you  have  for- 
gotten either  of  them  you  must  go  to  the  Chief 
Ranger  for  instruction,  after  which  you  must 
give  the  grip  and  password  to  the  Conductor  be- 
fore taking  a seat.  If  you  are  not  personally 
known  to  the  Conductor,  though  having  the  grip 
and  password,  you  must  give  him  your  name 
and,  if  you  be  a visiting  member,  also  the  name 
and  number  of  your  Court,  and  then  remain 
standing  until  the  Chief  Ranger  declares  you 
entitled  to  a seat  in  the  meeting. 

“If  you  arrive  after  the  meeting  has  been 
opened  you  will  give  three  raps  ( exemplifying 
with  the  closed  hand ) on  the  inner  door — the  one 
leading  into  the  hall.  When  the  Inside  Sentinel 
opens  the  wicket  you  must  give  him  your  name 
and,  if  you  be  a visiting  member,  also  the  name 
and  number  of  your  Court.  You  must  also  give 


47 


him  the  password  when  he  asks  for  it.  When  the 
Sentinel  admits  you,  you  must  exchange  the  grip 
with  him,  and  then  pass  up  the  middle  of  the 
hall  to  the  center  pedestal  ( pointing  to  it),  where 
you  must  salute  the  Chief  Ranger  with  the  sign 
(exemplifying) . If  he  be  engaged  you  may  turn 
towards  this  station  and  salute  the  Vice  Chief 
Ranger.  After  you  have  been  recognized  with  a 
return  of  the  salute  and  have  invested  yourself 
with  a badge,  which  you  will  find  on  the  center 
pedestal,  you  may  take  a seat  on  either  side  of  the 
hall.  If  you  have  not  the  password,  the  Chief 
Ranger,  after  having  been  assured  of  your  good 
standing,  will  order  you  admitted.  When  the 
Sentinel  opens  the  door  you  will  proceed  in  the 
same  manner,  but  after  you  have  saluted  and 
invested  yourself  with  a badge  you  go  to  the 
Chief  Ranger  for  instruction  and  then  give  the 
grip  and  password  to  the  Conductor  before  tak- 
ing a seat/' 

“If  you  have  not  the  grip  or  password  and 
desire  to  attend  a meeting  of  a Court  other  than 
your  own,  and  at  which  the  Chief  Ranger  of  your 
Court  is  not  present,  you  must  have  either  a valid 
traveling  card  or  a written  request  for  the  grip 
and  password  from  the  Chief  Ranger  of  your 


-18 


Court,  such  request  being  under  seal  of  your 
Court  and  having  been  issued  within  thirty  days. 

“From  this  explanation,  candidates,  it  must  be 
clear  to  you — and  it  is  imperative — that  you  are 
not  entitled  and  cannot  be  permitted  to  be  present 
at  any  meeting  of  any  Court,  unless  you  have  the 
grip  and  the  password,  and  unless  you  are  known 
to  be  members  in  good  standing  in  the  Order. 
Bear  this  well  in  mind. 

“Now,  a few  words  as  to  your  conduct  during 
the  meeting  of  a Court.  Should  you  wish  to 
obtain  the  floor  for  any  purpose  whatever  you 
must  first  rise  in  your  place  and,  addressing  your- 
self to  the  presiding  officer,  say  'Chief  Ranger.’ 
When  he  has  recognized  you,  you  may  proceed, 
but  not  before.  Should  you  desire  to  change 
your  place,  cross  the  hall  or  retire  from  the  meet- 
ing, you  must  first  obtain  permission,  and  then  go 
to  the  center  pedestal  ( pointing  to  it)  and  salute 
the  Chief  Ranger,  or,,  if  he  be  engaged,  the  Vice 
Chief  Ranger,  and  then  pass  on.  In  crossing  the 
hall  always  do  it  between  this  station  and  the 
center  pedestal. 

“At  the  close  of  the  Court  meeting  the  Chief 
Ranger  gives  one  rap  with  the  gavel  ( exempli - 


49 


fying),  and  then  making  the  sign  of  salute,  says: 
'Brothers,  good  night/  or  ‘good  afternoon/  as  the 
case  may  be.  The  members  in  acknowledgement 
also  make  the  sign  and  say  in  unison : 'Chief 
Ranger,  good  night/  or  'good  afternoon/ 

"You  will  now  be  conducted  to  the  station  of 
the  Chief  Ranger,  where  you  will  hear  the  lesson 
of  our  Order  and  receive  the  password  and  , 
further  instructions/’ 

Turning  towards  the  Senior  Conductor,  the  Vice 
Chief  Ranger  then  orders : 

V.  C.  R.  "Senior  Conductor,  present  the  can- 
didates to  the  Chief  Ranger." 

The  Senior  Conductor  proceeds  as  before,  the  candi- 
dates being  led  over  the  same  line  of  march  as  at  first 
to  the  Chief  Ranger’s  station— and  the  fourth  and  last 
stanza  of  the  Ode  is  sung. 

Arrived  at  the  Chief  Ranger’s  station,  the  Senior 
Conductor  introduces  the  candidates  thus: 

V.  C.  "Chief  Ranger,  I present  candidates 
who  have  taken  the  obligation  of  the  Order  and 
have  been  instructed  by  the  Vice  Chief  Ranger." 

The  Chief  Ranger  then  delivers  the  following,  with 
feeling  and  conviction  and  to  the  very  best  of  his 
ability : 


50 


LESSON. 

C.  R.  “Candidates,  I have  a few  words  to  say 
touching  upon  the  fundamental  structure  of  the 
Catholic  Order  of  Foresters. 

“Our  Order  is  founded  upon  three  cardinal 
principles — principles  that  tend  to  educate  and  to 
elevate,  and  to  make  us  better  members  of  society, 
of  the  church  and  of  the  state.  These  principles 
are:  Friendship,  Unity  and  true  Christian  Char- 
ity. 

“Friendship,  a flower  that  blooms  in  all  climes 
and  in  all  ages.  It  is — as  the  rivers,  the  strands 
of  the  seas  or  the  air  we  breathe — common  to  all 
mankind.  It  is  a principle  that  you  should  prac- 
tice at  all  times  and  under  all  circumstances ; and 
you  should  cultivate,  both  by  intercourse  and  as- 
sociation, the  friendship  of  the  members  of  this 
Order,  whom  you  ask  to  be  your  brothers.  We 
will  be  your  brothers.  Having  assumed  the  self- 
same obligation  that  you  have  taken,  we  stand 
ready  to  aid  and  protect  you,  so  long  as  you  wear 
your  armor  in  the  cause  of  right  and  live  amongst 
us  true  and  faithful  Catholic  Foresters. 


51 


'‘Unity,  the  second  principle,  teaches  us  that 
alone  man  is  weak,  united  he  is  strong;  a truth 
that  the  philosopher  of  old  exemplified  so  strik- 
ingly when  he  gathered  a handful  of  frail 
sticks  and  bound  them  together  to  unite  their 
strength.  Alone  we  are  weak,  and  can  do  but 
little  or  nothing  towards  the  care  of  our  depend- 
ents for  that  inevitable  time  when  we  shall  no 
longer  be  with  them.  But  associated  in  a bond 
of  fraternal  union  we  are  strong  and  can  provide 
plentifully  for  their  future  support  and  happi- 
ness. You  are  called  upon  to  lend  strength  to 
this  potent  principle  by  inviting  into  our  Order 
all  eligible  Catholic  men,  to  the  end  that  the  great- 
est good  may  come  to  the  largest  number. 

"The  third  principle,  Christian  Charity,  is  that 
principle  which  inspires  in  our  hearts  and  minds 
those  of  Friendship  and  Unity,  and  which  incites 
us  to  do  unto  others  as  we  would  have  them  do 
unto  us.  Life,  my  friends,  has  its  sunshine  and 
its  shadows ; its  days  and  its  nights ; its  seasons 
of  joy  and  its  hours  of  sorrow,  and  in  this  event- 
ful drama  each  and  every  man  plays  a part.  And 
so  in  our  Order.  Every  member  is  called 
upon  to  do  his  share  towards  making  the 
world  better  and  brighter ; towards  bringing  sun- 


shine  and  gladness  to  hearts  in  gloom,  and  to- 
wards dispelling  the  clouds  that  at  times  gather 
about  and  darken  the  life  of  a brother  member. 
Cultivate  the  practice  of  this  sublime  principle 
and  virtue  by  casting  from  your  hearts  every 
grudge,  by  banishing  every  unkind  thought  and 
by  laying  aside  every  personal  prejudice. 

“Let  the  Golden  Rule  be  your  motto.  Let  the 
sun  of  charity  that  rises  at  home,  always  set 
abroad.  Help  to  propagate  and  extend  the  be- 
nevolent work  in  which  we  are  engaged.  Lastly, 
let  no  act  of  yours  ever  tarnish  the  fair  name  of 
our  Order,  but  let  your  lives  at  all  times  be  above 
reproach.  Be  faithful  in  your  duty  to  your  God, 
to  your  family  and  to  your  fellow-man ; and 
consider  that,  when  at  last  your  earthly  mission 
is  ended,  all  the  noble  and  generous  deeds  which 
you  performed  will  serve  as  golden  keys  to  open 
for  you  the  gates  of  eternal  happiness. 

“These,  my  friends,  are  the  sublime  teachings 
of  our  Order,  and  these  point  out  the  rule  of 
conduct  we  would  have  you  follow  as  members  of 
the  Catholic  Order  of  Foresters/' 

The  Chief  Ranger  then  gives  the  following  instruc- 
tions, in  a conversational  tone : 


53 


C.  R.  “Now,  a few  words  of  instruction.  Only 
members  in  good  standing  in  the  Order  are  en- 
titled to  the  password,  and  they  can  obtain  it  only 
from  the  Chief  Ranger  of  their  Court  or  from  the 
acting  Chief  Ranger  at  a meeting  of  their 
Court.  Visiting  members  may,  however,  obtain 
the  password  upon  presenting  either  a valid 
Traveling  Card  or  a written  request  from  the 
Chief  Ranger  of  their  Court,  as  already  explained 
more  fully  by  the  Vice  Chief  Ranger. 

“I  will  now  give  you  the  password  and  invest 
you  with  the  regalia  of  the  Order/' 

The  Senior  Conductor  commands : 

S.  C.  “Candidates,  right  face,  march !” 

The  Junior  Conductor  slowly  leads  the  candidates 
past  and  close  to  the  Chief  Ranger’s  station,  over  the 
line  of  march  shown  in  the  diagram,  Fig.  2,  slackening 
his  pace  so  as  not  to  cause  an  undue  gap  between  the 
candidate  the  Chief  Ranger  is  instructing  and  the  one 
immediately  ahead  of  him,  and  continuing  the  march 
until  all  are  again  formed  in  a semi-circle.  The  Senior 
Conductor  must  detain  each  successive  candidate  four 
to  five  feet  from  the  one  the  Chief  Ranger  is  instruct- 
ing; and  the  Assistant  Conductor  must  stand  at  the 
right  of  the  Chief  Ranger  and  hand  him  the  badges — 
one  by  one — for  the  candidates. 

(The  Chief  Ranger  should  stand  on  the  lowest  step 
of  the  platform  and  at  the  right  side  of  the  pedestal, 
and  should  not  Exchange  the  grip  or  grasp  the  hand  of 


54 


the  candidate  when  giving  him  the  password.  After 
giving  the  password  he  must  affix  the  badge  to  the  left 
breast  of  the  candidate.) 

(In  the  case  of  a large  number  of  candidates  the 
accompanist  should  play  an  appropriate  interlude  during 
the  giving  of  the  password.) 

After  all  have  received  the  password  and  have  reached 
their  former  positions  in  the  semi-circle,  the  Senior  Con- 
ductor commands : 

S.  C.  “Halt ! Left  face!” 

The  Chief  Ranger  then  continues : 

C.  R.  “You  must  keep  the  password  a close 
secret,  as  you  promised,  and  never  communicate 
it  to  any  person  or  to  any  member  of  the  Order, 
excepting  the  Presiding  Officer,  Conductor  and 
Inside  Sentinel  in  their  official  capacity  at  a ses- 
sion of  a Court  or  a convention  of  the  Order; 
and  you  must  always  speak  it  in  a whisper.  The 
Conductors  will  now  take  the  password  to  assure 
me  that  you  are  in  possession  of  it.” 

The  Junior  and  Assistant  Conductors,  each  beginning 
at  his  end  of  the  file,  then  proceed  to  examine  the  candi- 
dates, and,  if  there  be  a large  number,  the  Senior  Con- 
ductor assists,  taking  the  middle  one-third. 

(The  Conductors  should  not  exchange  the  grip  or 
grasp  the  hands  of  the  candidates  when  taking  the  pass- 
word.) 


55 


If  any  candidate  has  forgotten  the  password  the  Con- 
ductor must  request  him  to  step  up  to  the  Chief  Ranger 
for  instruction. 

The  Conductors  finding  all  in  possession  of  the  pass- 
word, report  to  the  Chief  Ranger — each  in  turn — thus : 

C’s.  “All  I have  examined  are  in  possession 
of  the  password.” 

The  Chief  Ranger  then  continues : 

C.  R.  “The  badge  you  are  wearing  is  the  re- 
galia of  our  Order.  It  has  upon  it  a cross  and  a 
deer,  the  emblem  of  the  Catholic  Order  of  Fores- 
ters. 

“Now  a few  words  and  we  are  done.  You 
must  be  punctual  in  the  payment  of  your  assess- 
ments and  dues.  The  High  Court  calls  a monthly 
benefit  assessment,  which  is  due  and  payable 
by  all  regular  members  on  the  first  day  of  the 
month  for  which  it  is  called,  and  it  must  be  paid 
to  the  Financial  Secretary  not  later  than  on  the 
last  day  of  the  same  month,  under  penalty  of 
suspension.  The  Monthly  dues  must  likewise 
be  paid  within  the  same  time. 

“The  regular  meetings  of  *this  Court  are  held 
on  the  (give  day  of  week ) of  each  month 

* (At  a joint  initiation  give  time  and  place  of  the  meetings  of 
the  several  Courts  having  candidates  initiated.) 


56 


(give  place  of  meetings ),  and  you  should  en- 
deavor to  attend  each  and  every  one  of  them, 
and  you  are  obliged  to  attend  at  least  one  regular 
meeting  in  each  quarter,  under  penalty  of  a fine. 

“You  will  each  be  given  copies  of  the  laws  of 
the  Order  and  of  the  by-laws  of  the  Court,  which 
I urge  you  to  peruse  diligently,  so  as  to  become 
conversant  with  the  laws,  rules  and  regulations 
and  with  your  duties  of  membership. 

“You  will  also  be  given  some  proposition 
blanks,  and  I trust  that  each  of  you  will  earnestly 
endeavor  to  file  at  least  one  of  them — properly 
filled  out  and  accompanied  with  the  required  fee 
— proposing  a good  man  for  membership,  thereby 
manifesting  your  interest  in  the  organization  of 
which  you  now  are  members.' ” 

The  Chief  Ranger  then  bids  the  Conductors  to  hand 
each  candidate  copies  of  the  laws  and  by-laws  and  sev- 
eral proposition  blanks,  which  the  Conductors  must 
proceed  to  do. 

The  Chief  Ranger  then  gives  three  raps  and  formally 
mtroduces  the  new  members  to  the  Court,  thus : 

C.  R.  “Brothers  of Court  No , 

I take  much  pleasure  in  presenting  to  you  these 
new  brothers,  who  are  now  full  members  of  this 
Court  and  of  the  Order/' 


57 


The  members  applaud  and  then  the  Chief  Ranger  de- 
clares a short  recess  during  which  the  Conductors 
should  introduce  the  new  members  individually  to  all 
present. 

After  sufficient  time  has  been  given  for  introductions, 
congratulations,  etc.,  the  Chief  Ranger  again  calls  the 
meeting  to  order  and  continues  with  the  “Order  of 
Business.” 


58 


SIGN,  GRIP  AND  SIGNAL 
DRILL. 


(This  drill  must  be  gone  through  at  “Good  of  the 
Order”  at  least  once  in  every  three  months  if  there  are 
no  initiations.) 

The  Chief  Ranger  gives  three  raps  and  then  proceeds 
thus : 

C.  R.  “Vice  Chief  Ranger,  what  is  the  sign 
of  salute  and  how  is  it  made?” 

The  Vice  Chief  Ranger  answers,  explaining  and  ex- 
emplifying the  sign,  thus : 

V.  C.  R.  “The  sign  of  salute  is  a declaration 
of  loyalty  and  submission  to  the  established  au- 
thorities of  the  Order.  It  is  made  by  placing  the 
right  hand — thumb  and  other  fingers  extended 
but  held  together — over  the  heart  ( exemplifying ) 
and  bowing  the  head — not  the  body — slightly” 
(exemplifying) . 

The  Chief  Ranger  then  bids  the  members : 

C.  R.  “Brothers,  make  the  sign  of  salute.” 


59 


When  all  the  members  have  made  the  sign  properly  he 
continues : 

C.  R.  “Vice  Chief  Ranger,  what  is  the  sign 
of  recognition,  and  how  is  it  made?” 

V.  C . R.  “The  sign  of  recognition  is  a means 
of  ascertaining,  without  inquiry,  whether  a per- 
son be  a member  of  the  Order.  It  is  made  by” 

( explain  and  exemplify  sign). 

C.  R.  “Brothers,  make  the  sign  of  recogni- 
tion.” 

C.  R.  “Vice  Chief  Ranger,  what  is  the  coun- 
tersign, and  how  is  it  made?” 

V.  C.  R.  “The  countersign  is  the  answer  to 
the  sign  of  recognition.  It  is  made  by”  ( explain 
and  exemplify  countersign). 

C.  R.  “Brothers,  make  the  countersign.” 

C.  R.  “Vice  Chief  Ranger,  what  is  the  grip, 
and  how  is  it  given  and  returned  ?” 

V.  C.  R.  “The  grip  is  a manner  of  expressing 
fraternal  friendship  with  each  other,  and  is  also 
a means  of  identification.  It  is  given  and  re- 


60 


turned  in  this  wise — ” ( explain  and  exemplify 
the  grip  with  the  aid  of  the  Junior  Conductor) . 

C.  R.  ''Brothers,  exchange  the  grip  with  each 
other.” 

The  members,  remaining  in  their  places,  exchange  the 
grip  with  each  other. 

C.  R.  "Vice  Chief  Ranger,  what  is  the  gavel 
and  what  are  its  uses  ?” 

V . C.  R.  "The  gavel  is  the  symbol  of  the 
authority  of  the  Chief  Ranger  and  is  employed 
by  him  in  the  conduct  of  the  meetings  of  the 
Court.  One  rap  ( exemplifying ) is  the  signal  for 
order — silence — and  for  the  members  to  take 
their  seats ; and  it  is  also-  used  by  way  of  confirm- 
ing the  result  of  a vote  as  declared  by  the  'chair' 
or  a ruling  made  by  him.  Two  raps  {exemplify- 
ing) is  the  signal  for  all  to  kneel.  Three  raps 
{exemplifying)  the  signal  for  all  to  rise  to  their 
feet ; and  a series  of  raps  is  used  for  calling  the 
meeting  to  order.” 


The  Chief  Ranger  then  gives  one  rap. 


61 


NEW  PASS  WORD. 


At  the  first  regular  meeting  of  the  Court  after  a new 
password  has  been  received  by  the  Chief  Ranger,  and  at 
the  meeting  at  which  the  annual  installation  of  officers 
takes  place,  the  Chief  Ranger  must,  at  “Good  of  the 
Order,”  give  the  new  password,  proceeding  as  follows  : 

C.  R.  “ Brothers,  I will  now  give  the  new 
password  to  all  entitled  to  the  same.  Senior 
Conductor,  come  forward,  receive  the  password 
and  take  the  same  from  the  members  after  I have 
instructed  them.  The  members  will  please  form 
in  single  file  to  my  left/’ 

The  Chief  Ranger  gives  three  raps,  and  the  mem- 
bers rise  and  proceed  to  form  in  line.  The  Senior  Con- 
ductor steps  up  to  the  Chief  Ranger  and  receives  the 
password  and  then  assumes  position  to  the  right  of  the 
Chief  Ranger  and  examines  each  member  after  being 
instructed  by  the  Chief  Ranger.  The  Junior  Conductor 
must  detain  each  successive  member  four  to  five  feet 
from  the  one  the  Chief  Ranger  is  instructing. 

(The  Chief  Ranger  is  imperatively  forbidden  to  give 
the  password  to  any  member  whom  he  does  not  per- 
sonally know  to  be  in  good  standing  in  the  Court,  but 
he  is  empowered  to  give  the  password  to  a visiting 
member  upon  presentation  by  such  member  of  either  a 
valid  traveling  card  or  a written  request  from  the 
Chief  Ranger  of  such  member’s  Court,  such  request  be- 
ing authenticated  with  the  seal  of  the  member’s  Court 
and  having  been  issued  within  thirty  days.) 


62 


When  all  have  been  instructed  in  the  new  password 
and  have  returned  to  their  places,  the  Chief  Ranger  con- 
tinues : 

C.  R.  “Brothers,  I must  remind  you  that  too 
much  care  cannot  be  exercised  in  the  use  of  the 
password.  You  must  keep  it  a close  secret  and 
never  communicate  it  to  any  person  or  to  any 
member  of  the  Order,  excepting  the  Presiding 
officer,  Conductor  or  Inside  Sentinel  in  their  offi- 
cial capacity  at  a meeting  of  a Court  and  a con- 
vention of  the  Order.” 

The  Chief  Ranger  then  gives  one  rap. 


G3 

NEW  GRIP. 


At  the  first  regular  meeting  of  the  Court  after  a new 
grip  has  been  received,  the  Chief  Ranger,  at  “Good  of 
the  Order,”  proceeds : 

C.  R . “Brothers,  the  Vice  Chief  Ranger  will 
now  explain  and  exemplify  the  new  grip.” 

The  Chief  Ranger  gives  three  raps  and  then  con- 
tinues : 

C.  R.  “Vice  Chief  Ranger,  what  is  the  new 
grip,  and  how  is  it  given  and  returned.” 

V.  C . R.  “The  new  grip  is  given  and  returned 
in  this  wise”  ( explaining , and , with  the  aid  of 
the  Junior  Conductor , exemplifying  the  new 
grip). 

The  Vice  Chief  Ranger  then  exchanges  the  grip  with 
the  Senior  Conductor,  and  the  Chief  Ranger  orders : 

C.  R.  “Conductors,  please  exchange  the  new 
grip  with  each  individual  member.” 

The  Conductors  proceed  to  exchange  the  grip  with 
the  members  and,  when  through,  the  Chief  Ranger 
orders : 

C.  R.  “Brothers,  exchange  the  new  grip  with 
each  other.” 

The  members,  remaining  in  their  places,  exchange  the 
grip  with  each  other,  and  then  the  Chief  Ranger  gives 
one  rap.  ‘ , j 


64 


INSTALLATION  OF  OFFICERS. 


(Only  the  High  Chief  Ranger  or  a duly  authorized 
Deputy  High  Chief  Ranger  is  empowered  to  install  the 
officers  of  a subordinate  Court.  But  the  Deputy  High 
Chief  Ranger  of  a Court,  if  he  be  empowered  to  install 
the  officers,  may  delegate  that  power  to  another  Deputy 
High  Chief  Ranger.) 

When  “Installation  of  Officers”  in  the  “Order  of 
Business”  is  reached  the  Chief  Ranger  introduces  the 
Installing  Officer,  who  thereupon  takes  the  chair  and 
at  once  appoints  two  temporary  Conductors  and  an 
Inside  Sentinel  to  act  during  the  installation,  and  bids 
the  Conductors  to  collect  the  officers’  badges  and  bring 
them  to  his  station.  He  then  proceeds : 

I.  O.  "Recording  Secretary,  has  this  Court 
elected  officers  for  the  ensuing  term  in  accord- 
ance with  the  laws,  rules  and  regulations  of  the 
Order?" 

The  Recording  Secretary  must  answer. 

I.  O.  “Have  you  received  notice  of  the  High 
Court's  approval  of  the  bonds  for  the  Financial 
Secretary-elect  and  the  Treasurer-elect?" 

The  Recording  Secretary  must  answer. 


65 


(In  case  it  appears  that  there  has  been  any  irregular- 
ity in  the  election  of  any  officer,  or  if  the  approval  of  the 
bond  for  any  officer  has  not  been  received,  the  respective 
officer-elect  must  not  be  installed,  but  in  the  case  of  an 
irregularity,  which  can  be  properly  righted  then  and 
there,  the  installation  may  take  place.) 

I.  O.  “Chief  Ranger-elect,  please  announce 
the  names  of  the  Spiritual  Director,  Conductors 
and  Sentinels.” 

The  Chief  Ranger-elect  announces  the  names  which 
he  should  previously  give  to  the  Recording  Secretary  for 
entry  upon  the  list  of  officers. 

(At  a public  installation  of  officers  the  above  formal- 
ity is  not  used,  but  the  installing  officer  must  assure 
himself  before  the  installation  that  all  the  requirements 
have  been  complied  with.) 

The  Installing  Officer  then  directs : 

I.  0.  “The  officers-elect,  as  their  names  are 
called,  will  please  come  forward,  and  the  Con- 
ductors will  place  them  in  position  for  installa- 
tion.” 

The  Installing  Officer  then  proceeds  to  call  the  names 
from  a list  furnished  by  the  Recording  Secretary.  The 
names  must  be  called  one  by  one,  giving  the  Conductors 
time  to  place  in  position  each  officer-elect;  and  they 
must  be  called  in  the  following  order : * C.  R.,  V.  C.  R., 
P.  C.  R.,  R.  S.,  F.  S.,  Treas.,  Trustees,  Conductors, 


★ The  Spiritual  Director  is  not  installed. 


06 


Sentinels,  and  the  names  should  be  prefixed  by  the  re- 
spective titles.  The  temporary  Conductors  must  form 
the  officers-elect  in  a semi-circle,  twelve  to  fifteen  feet 
from  the  Chief  Ranger’s  station  (as  in  the  case  of  can- 
didates at  an  initiation),  the  Chief  Ranger-elect  being 
placed  at  the  end  of  the  semi-circle  to  the  left  of  the 
Installing  Officer.  The  Conductors  must  also  remove 
the  badges  if  any  be  worn  by  any  of  the  officers-elect. 
When  all  have  been  properly  placed  the  Conductors 
must  assume  positions  at  the  ends  of  the  semi-circle — 
one  at  each  end. 


All  being  in  readiness  the  Installing  Officer  gives  ont 
rap  and  proceeds  thus : 

I.  0.  “Brothers,  you  have  been  chosen  by 
your  fellow-members  to  be  the  officers  of  the 
Court  for  the  ensuing  term.  Your  presence  here 
for  installation  indicates  your  willingness  to  as^ 
sume  the  duties  of  the  respective  offices  and  to 
accept  of  the  confidence  that  has  been  reposed  in 
you. 

“You  should  carefully  weigh  the  responsibili- 
ties which  your  offices  impose  and  undertake  to 
perform  the  incumbent  duties  with  justice  and 
impartiality.  To  be  neglectful  in  this  respect 
means  an  abuse  of  the  confidence  of  your  brother 
members,  a sacrifice  of  their  interests  and  a low- 
ering, in  their  estimation,  of  your  manly  dignity. 
Be  very  careful,  therefore,  not  to  lose  the  favor 


67 


of  the  members  of  the  Court,  but  foster  it  by 
always  doing  your  duty  well  and  faithfully. 

“The  success  of  your  Court  will  lead  to  the 
establishment  and  success  of  others,  and  they  in 
turn  will  operate  towards  the  success  of  the  en- 
tire Order.  You  should,  therefore,  perform  your 
duties  in  such  a manner  as  though  the  success 
of  the  whole  Order  depended  upon  your  Court. 

“You  must  not  rest  content  with  merely  main- 
taining the  Court  in  the  condition  it  now  is,  but 
you  must  improve  it  in  every  respect — socially, 
financially  and  numerically: — so  that  your  succes- 
sors and  a future  generation  of  Catholic  men  will 
find  it  in  such  an  advanced  state  of  growth  and 
prosperity  as  to  bear  witness  to  your  faithfulness 
to  duty  and  to  your  devotion  to  its  welfare. 
Bear  in  mind  that  he  who  hid  his  talent  and  added 
nothing  to  it  was,  when  called  upon  to  give  an 
account  of  his  stewardship,  condemned  as  an  un- 
faithful servant. 

“In  your  intercourse  with  the  members  of  the 
Court,  and  in  the  execution  of  the  laws  of  the 
Order,  draw  largely  from  the  great  virtue  of 
charity  that  flows  so  bountifully  through  the 
channels  of  the  Catholic  Church — that  church  in 


68 


whose  shade  we  live  and  under  whose  protecting 
wings  the  Catholic  Order  of  Foresters  is  estab- 
lished. 

“Let  truth,  honor  and  courtesy  flow  in  all  your 
deeds.  Strive  to  exemplify  in  your  own  lives 
that  which  you  most  admire  in  others.  Conduct 
the  business  affairs  of  the  Court  in  a business- 
like manner,  and  require  a strict  compliance  with 
the  laws  of  the  Order  and  a faithful  performance 
of  duty  on  the  part  of  each  and  every  member. 
Then,  when  at  the  end  of  your  term  of  office,  you 
find  that  all  your  acts  and  all  your  efforts  were 
directed  towards  the  welfare  and  best  interests 
of  the  Court,  you  will  be  able  to  surrender  your 
badge  of  office  with  manly  pride  and  with  the 
consciousness  of  duty  well  done. 

“Brothers,  fully  realizing  the  responsibilities 
that  will  rest  upon  you,  are  you  willing  to  take 
the  pledge  of  office  ?” 

All  must  answer.  The  Installing  Officer  then  gives 
three  raps  and  requests : 

/.  O.  “Please  raise  your  right  hands  and  re- 
peat after  me.” 

(At  a public  installation  the  Installing  Officer  should 
request  the  members  of  the  Order  to  rise.) 


69 


The  Installing  Officer,  holding  his  own  right  hand  in 
a raised  position  and  speaking  slowly,  distinctly . and 
impressively,  administers  the  following  pledge,  division 
by  division,  giving  the  officers-elect  ample  time  to  repeat 
after  him. 


PLEDGE. 

“I  solemnly  promise  | that  I will,  faithfully  | 
and  to  the  best  of  my  ability,  | perform  the  du- 
ties I incumbent  upon  me  | as  an  officer  | of 

Court  No , | Catholic  Order  of 

Foresters ; | that  I will  enforce,  | without  fear, 
favor  or  prejudice,  | and  execute  | with  justice 
and  impartiality,  | all  the  laws,  | rules  | and  reg- 
ulations of  the  Order,  | as  now  j or  as  may  here- 
after | be  in  force;  | that  I will  never  commit 
any  . act  | that  would  bring  discredit  | upon  the 
Court  | or  upon  myself  | as  one  of  its  officers ; | 
and  that  I will  account  for  | and  transfer  to  my 
successor  | or  to  a duly  authorized  officer  | all 
moneys  and  property  | of  the  Court  or  of  the 
Order  | that  have  been  placed  in  my  possession  | 
or  under  my  control  | during  my  tenure  of 
office.  | To  all  of  which  | I pledge  my  word  of 
honor  | as  a man  and  a Catholic  Forester.” 

The  Installing  Officer  gives  one  rap  and  then  proceeds 
to  invest  the  officers  with  their  badges  in  the  following 
manner : 


70 


Beginning  with  the  Sentinels  he  takes  the  respective 
badge  or  badges  in  his  hand  and  addresses  the  officers 
as  below. 

(When  the  Installing  Officer  speaks  the  title  or  titles 
of  the  officer  or  officers,  for  instance  “Sentinels,”  the  lat- 
ter step  forward  to  a position  about  midway  between 
the  Installing  Officer’s  station  and  the  semi-circle  and 
remain  there  until  the  conclusion  of  the  address,  when 
they  step  up  to  the  Installing  Officer  who  affixes  the 
badges — to  the  left  breast — after  which  they  resume 
their  positions  in  the  semi-circle.) 

/.  O.  “Sentinels, — the  emblem  on  your  badges 
— two  swords — is  that  of  a guardsman,  and  is  in- 
tended to  remind  you  of  your  duty  to  vigilently 
guard  the  entrance  of  the  meeting  hall  during 
the  sessions  of  the  Court  against  intrusion  by  any 
one  not  entitled  to  admission/’ 

I.  O.  “Conductors, — the  staffs  on  your  badges 
are  the  emblem'  of  a leader  or  director,  symbol- 
izing your  position  in  the  various  functions  at  the 
sessions  of  the  Court,  particularly  when  acting 
as  director  of  the  ceremonies  of  the  Order.” 

I.  O.  “Trustees, — as  your  title  indicates,  you 
are  the  supervisors  of  the  financial  affairs  of  the 
Court,  and  your  duty  is  to  see  to  it  that  the  funds 
are  rightfully  and  lawfully  used.  The  safe  or 
strong-box  on  your  badge  is  symbolical  of  the 
trust  reposed  in  you.” 


71 


I.  O.  “Treasurer,— as  symbolized  by  the  em- 
blem on  your  badge- — two  keys — you  are  the  cus- 
todian of  the  funds  of  the  Court.  Your  office  is 
one  of  trust  and  your  duty  is  not  only  to  care  for 
the  safety  of  the  funds,  but  also  to  be  prepared 
at  all  times  to  satisfy  the  Court  that  they  are  in 
a state  of  perfect  security.” 

I.  O.  “Financial  Secretary, — the  emblem  on 
your  badge — a quill  and  a key — is  that  of  an 
accountant,  and  is  intended  to  remind  you  that 
it  is  your  duty  to  keep  the  financial  accounts  of 
the  Court  with  its  members  and  with  the  several 
departments  of  the  Order.  Your  office  is  also 
one  of  trust,  which  you  must  conscientiously 
guard  and  never  violate.” 

I.  0.  “Recording  Secretary, — the  quills  on 
your  badge  are  the  emblem  of  your  office,  the  du- 
ties of  which  are  to  keep  the  general  records  of 
the  Court.  Although  diverse,  your  duties  are 
plainly  set  forth  in  the  laws  of  the  Order,  and 
the  success  of  the  Court  will,  in  a large  measure, 
depend  upon  the  business-like  manner  in  which 
you  perform  each  and  every  one  of  those  du- 
ties.” 


/.  O.  “Past  Chief  Ranger, — by  virtue  of  the 
position  you  formerly  held  in  the  Court  you  are 
an  honorary  as  well  as  an  active  officer,  and  be- 
cause of  your  experience  as  an  executive  officer 
you  will  be  looked  to  as  the  guiding  star  of  the 
Court,  as  symbolized  by  the  emblem  on  your 
badge.  You  must,  therefore,  be  ever  ready  to 
lend  your  valued  aid  and  advice  in  all  matters 
pertaining  to  the  welfare  and  best  interests  of 
the  Court/' 

I.  O.  “Vice  Chief  Ranger, — as  indicated  by 
your  title  and  by  the  gavel  on  your  badge — the 
symbol  of  authority — you  are  the  assistant  of  the 
Chief  Ranger.  Your  duty  is  to  aid  him  in  the 
conduct  of  the  business  of  the  Court  and  to  as- 
sume his  duties  in  his  absence.  You  must,  there- 
fore, become  familiar  with  all  the  affairs  of  the 
Court  so  as  to  enable  you  to  properly  discharge 
the  duties  of  Chief  Ranger  in  case  of  need." 

I.  O.  “Chief  Ranger, — you  are  the  executive 
officer  of  the  Court,  and  to  you  its  welfare  has 
been  entrusted.  To  attain  success  you  must  be 
unflagging  in  your  zeal  and  untiring  in  your  ef- 
forts. You  must  become  thoroughly  conversant 
with  all  the  laws  of  the  Order,  as  well  as  with 


73 


the  by-laws  of  your  Court,  so  as  to  enable  you  to 
rule  justly  and  with  readiness  and  confidence  in 
all  matters  affecting  the  rights  and  duties  of  the 
members.  While  your  authority  in  the  Court  is 
supreme,  yet  your  duty  is  not  only  to  strictly  en- 
force the  laws,  rules  and  regulations  of  the  Order, 
but  to  be  first  and  foremost  in  observing  them. 
Your  conduct  in  all  matters  must  be  above  re- 
proach and  an  example  for  others  to  imitate,  as 
then — and  then  only — can  you  command  the  re- 
spect and  loyalty  that  is  indispensable  to  the  suc- 
cessful government  of  the  Court .” 

The  Installing  Officer  invests  the  Chief  Ranger 
with  the  badge  and  bids  him  to  assume  position  at  his 
left  and  then,  addressing  himself  to  the  Chief  Ranger, 
the  Installing  Officer  continues : 

/.  O.  “Chief  Ranger,  I now  present  you  with 
the  gavel — the  symbol  of  your  authority  in  the 
Court,  and  I trust  that  you  will  always  wield  it 
with  due  regard  for  the  rights  and  privileges  of 
the  members  within  the  laws  of  the  Order.” 

The  Installing  Officer  gives  three  raps,  hands  the 
gavel  to  the  Chief  Ranger  and  then  introduces  the 
officers  thus : 

/.  O.  “Brothers  of Court  No , 

it  gives  me  much  pleasure  to  now  present  to  you 


74 


your  officers,  whom  I trust  you  will  aid  and  sup- 
port in  all  their  undertakings  tending  to  the  wel- 
fare and  best  interests  of  the  Court.” 

The  members  applaud,  after  which  the  Chief  Ranger 
gives  one  rap,  bids  the  other  officers  to  take  their  re- 
spective stations  and  proceeds  with  the  “Order  of  Busi- 
ness.” 

At  “Good  of  the  Order”  the  Installing  Officer  must 
give  the  new  password  to  the  Chief  Ranger,  who  then 
proceeds  to  give  it  to  the  members  in  the  manner  pre- 
scribed on  page  61. 

(At  the  institution  of  a Court  the  password  is  not 
given  at  this  part  of  the  ceremony,  it  having  been  given 
to  the  members  at  the  close  of  the  initiation  ceremony.) 

(The  password  must  not  be  given  at  a public  installa- 
tion of  officers,  but  at  the  first  regular  meeting  of  the 
Court  thereafter.) 


75 


INSTITUTION  OF  A SUBOR= 
DINATE  COURT. 


In  every  case  when  at  all  possible  the  Organizer  or 
the  respective  State  or  Provincial  Court  should  send 
timely  notice,  to  all  subordinate  Courts  within  reason- 
able distance,  of  the  date  and  place  a Court  is  to  be  in- 
stituted, and  urgently  invite  the  members  of  such  Courts 
to  attend  the  institution  meeting.  Such  Courts  should 
also  be  requested  to  bring  their  badges  for  use  at  such 
meeting. 

The  initiation  of  the  charter  candidates,  both  for  regu- 
lar and  honorary  membership,  for  a new  Court  and  the 
preliminaries  of  the  ceremony  are  identical  in  every 
respect  as  in  the  case  of  an  initiation  in  an  established 
Court. 

The  Organizer  must  assist  the  Financial  Secretary- 
elect  of  the  new  Court  in  the  collection  of  the  prescribed 
fees  and  dues  from  the  candidates  and  he  must  see  to  it 
that  the  latter  sign  the  obligation  of  the  Order. 

Any  preliminary  business  necessary  to  be  transacted 
by  the  charter  candidates,  such  as  balloting  on  candi- 
dates that  have  otherwise  qualified,  etc.,  must  be  dis- 
posed of  before  the  institution  meeting. 

The  institution  meeting  is  a special  meeting  of  the 
Order  called  by  the  Organizer  for  the  purpose  of  initiat- 
ing the  candidates,  instituting  the  Court,  and  electing 
and  installing  the  officers.  Hence,  only  members  who 
are  known  to  be  in  good  standing  in  the  Order  and  who 
have  the  grip  and  the  password  are  entitled  and  can  be 
permitted  to  be  present  at  such  meeting. 

The  instituting  officer,  who  must  be  either  the  High 
Chief  Ranger  or  a Deputy  Pligh  Chief  Ranger,  acts  as 
Chief  Ranger  of  the  meeting,  and  he  must  arrange  to 


76 


have  a complement  of  officers  for  the  proper  perform- 
ance of  the  initiation  ceremony. 

After  calling  the  meeting  to  order  and  after  the  right 
to  a seat  of  every  one  present  has  been  determined,  as  at 
a regular  Court  meeting,  the  opening  prayer  must  be 
said,  and  then  the  Installing  Officer  formally  opens  the 
meeting  thus : 

I.  O.  “Brothers,  I declare  that  this  meeting 
of  the  Catholic  Order  of  Foresters  is  now  in  ses- 
sion for  the  purpose  of  instituting  a subordinate 

branch  to  be  known  as Court  No , 

in  accordance  with  the  laws,  rules  and  regulations 
of  the  Order.” 

The  regular  initiation  ceremony  of  the  Order  must 
then  be  proceeded  with. 

At  the  conclusion  of  the  ceremony,  and  before  form- 
ally introducing  the  new  members  to  those  present,  the 
instituting  officer  must  read  the  charter  of  the  new 
Court,  or,  as  a courtesy  to  the  Organizer,  request  him 
to  read  it. 

After  the  reading  of  the  charter  the  instituting  officer 
gives  three  raps  and  formally  institutes  the  Court  thus : 

I.  O.  “Brothers,  I now  declare,  in  conformity 
with  the  laws  of  the  Order  and  the  charter  just 

read,  that Court  No is  duly  and 

legally  instituted  a subordinate  branch  of  the 
Catholic  Order  of  Foresters,  for  the  purposes  set 


77 


forth  in  the  constitution  and  laws  of  said  Order, 
as  now  or  as  may  hereafter  be  in  force.” 

The  instituting  officer  then  formally  introduces  the 
members  of  the  new  Court  to  those  present  and  declares 
a short  recess. 

After  sufficient  time  has  been  given  for  introductions, 
congratulations,  etc.,  the  meeting  is  again  called  to 
order  and  the  election  of  officers  for  the  new  Court  is 
proceeded  with  in  the  regulation  manner,  the  institut- 
ing officer,  or  the  Organizer,  or  any  Deputy  High  Chief 
Ranger,  presiding. 

At  the  completion  of  the  election,  the  officers-elect 
must  be  installed  in  regular  form,  after  which  any 
necessary  Court  business,  such  as  the  fixing  of  the 
regular  meetings  of  the  Court,  etc.,  must  be  disposed  of 
and  then  a pre-arranged  program  for  “Good  of  the 
Order”  may  be  carried  out. 

The  meeting  must  be  closed  in  the  regular  form. 
(In  extreme  cases  where  it  is  impossible  to  secure  a 
full  initiating  team  and  attendance  of  members  of  the 
Order,  the  Organizer,  having  been  deputized  for  that 
purpose,  must  perform  all  the  ceremonies  alone  or  with 
such  assistance  as  he  may  be  able  to  enlist : administer 
the  obligation;  give  the  Vice  Chief  Ranger’s  instruc- 
tions; deliver  the  lesson  of  the  Order,  and  install  the 
officers.) 


78 


INTERNATIONAL  AND  STATE 
OR  PROVINCIAL  CON= 
VENTION  PLEDGE. 


(Administered  by  the  High  Chief  Ranger  at  the  Inter- 
national Convention,  and  by  the  State  or  Provincial 
Chief  Ranger  at  a State  or  Provincial  Convention  to  the 
members  of  the  convention  before  taking  their  seats.) 

“We,  | individually  and  collectively,  | and  of 
our  own  free  will  and  accord,  | do  most  solemnly 
promise  | that  we  will  respect  and  uphold  | the 
constitution  and  laws  | of  the  Catholic  Order  of 
Foresters,  | and  be  loyal  to  and  recognize  | *this 
International  Convention  | as  the  supreme  au- 
thority | of  the  entire  Order ; | that  we  will  faith- 
fully, | and  to  the  best  of  our  ability,  | without 
fear,  | favor,  | or  prejudice,  | perform  the  duties  | 
incumbent  upon  us  | as  members  of  this  conven- 
tion ; | and  that  we  will  never  communicate  | to 
any  person  | not  entitled  to  know  the  same  |any 
of  the  official  | or  business  affairs  of  this  con- 
vention. | To  all  of  which  | we  pledge  our  word 
of  honor  | as  men  and  Catholic  Foresters. ” 

* (At  a State  or  Provincial  Convention  the  word  “the”  must 
be  used.) 


GAYLORD 


PRINTED  IN  US.  A. 


^r^rsiiO^ank 


CATHOLIC  order  of 
foresters . 


Bapst  Library 

Boston  College 
Chestnut  Hill,  Mass.  02167 


BOSTON  COLLEGE 


3 9( 


131 


155652  9 


